USC
Brian Cushing, OLB/ILB, USC Height: 6-3. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Combine 40 Time: 4.79.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.
Benchx225: 30. Vertical: 35.
Projected Round (2009): 1.
1/10/09: Voted to the AP All-America Second Team.
12/6/08: In a solid senior season for USC, Brian Cushing has 38 tackles, nine TFL and 2.5 sacks going into the UCLA game. He’s a late first-round, early second-round prospect.
5/16/08: It seems like Brian Cushing can play any position. He was at strong safety and defensive end previously before moving to strongside linebacker in 2007. He was hindered by an injured ankle last year, so if he stays healthy he’s bound to have an incredible 2008 campaign.
2007: Brian Cushing injured his hamstring this spring. He should be fine for the season opener.
Cushing, a member of the All-Pac-10 Second Team, has excellent quickness for his size. He collected 4.5 sacks in 2006. Should be able to play inside and outside.
Kevin Ellison, SS, USC Height: 6-1. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.82.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.
Benchx225: 32. Vertical: .
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
2/25/09: Mike Mayock said of Kevin Ellison, “He’s a special teams player and a backup WILL linebacker.” That’s not good for his draft stock. Neither is his 40.
1/14/09: Oddly enough, Kevin Ellison has been excluded from the Senior Bowl. He’ll have to shine at the Combine.
12/14/08: Despite missing a third of the season with knee injuries, Kevin Ellison was placed on the All-Pac 10 team. Ellison notched 43 tackles and seven passes broken up.
5/19/08: Despite having knee surgery prior to the 2007 season, Kevin Ellison played in every game and recorded 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two picks.
2007: Kevin Ellison started every game as a sophomore for USC, notching 64 tackles and a pick.
Cary Harris, CB, USC Height: 5-11. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.89.
Benchx225: . Vertical: .
Projected Round (2009): FA.
2/25/09: Not a good combine. In addition to running a slow 40, Cary Harris was heavily criticized by Deion Sanders during the drills. Said Sanders, “He’s killing himself. He’s slaughtering himself.”
1/13/09: After a great Kraft Rose Bowl, Cary Harris finished the year with 38 tackles, six passes broken up, four TFL and three picks. Harris was an All-Pac 10 honorable mention.
5/17/08: Started 23 of 25 games the past two seasons for USC’s stout defense. Despite a pedestrian 40, Cary Harris can return kicks.
Kaluka Maiava, OLB, USC Height: 5-11. Weight: 229.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Combine 40 Time: 4.78.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.
Benchx225: 30. Vertical: .
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
1/10/09: The “other” USC linebacker, Kaluka Maiava qualified for the All-Pac 10 Second Team, thanks to 66 tackles, 7.5 TFL and five passes broken up.
Clay Matthews, OLB, USC Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Combine 40 Time: 4.67.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.57.
Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 35.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
2/24/09: Clay Matthews ran well at the 2009 NFL Combine, recording a 4.67. He also had a 35-inch vertical and a 10-1 broad jump. He may have pushed himself into the first round.
1/10/09: A member of the All-Pac 10 Second Team, Clay Matthews (sounds like a guy on American Idol) managed 10.5 TFL, three sacks and six passes broken up.
12/6/08: Finally given the chance, Clay Matthews has given a name for himself, collecting 49 tackles, nine TFL and three sacks. He also has a blocked kick.
Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC Height: 6-2. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Combine 40 Time: 4.83*.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.
Benchx225: 23. Vertical: .
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
2/24/09: Pay no attention to that 40; Rey Maualuga tweaked a hamstring during the run and had to sit out the rest of the 2009 NFL Combine.
1/10/09: A member of the AP All-America First Team, Rey Maualuga finished the season with 79 tackles, 2.5 TFL and four passes broken up.
12/7/08: The top pure 3-4 inside linebacker in this class, Rey Maualuga qualified for the All-America First Team. Through 10 games, he has 68 tackles, 2.5 TFL and two picks (one returned for a touchdown).
5/11/08: Rey Maualuga put up solid numbers in 2007 despite going through some nagging injuries. Maualuga had 75 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery.
2007: Slated to be the next great linebacker at USC, Rey Maualuga has the size and speed of a top-15 prospect. Had 78 tackles, two sacks and one pick in 2006, qualifying for the All-Pac-10 First Team.
Kyle Moore, DE, USC Height: 6-5. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.
Benchx225: 22. Vertical: .
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/9/09: Managed 9.5 TFL and five sacks as a senior.
5/7/08: Starting 10 games at defensive end for the Trojans, and managed two sacks and two picks.
2007: Kyle Moore appeared in all 13 games as a sophomore, recording five tackles. Moore, listed as a starter for 2007, has a pretty solid 40 at his impressive 275-pound frame.
Patrick Turner, WR, USC Height: 6-5. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.63.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 6.
1/4/09: Patrick Turner finished strong. He compiled 49 catches, 741 yards and 10 scores as a senior.
10/19/08: Nothing special this season. Hope Patrick Turner’s working on his 40!
5/22/08: Patrick Turner’s 40 is going to kill him. He had 48 receptions, 569 yards and three touchdowns last year, so that’s not too great either.
2007: Patrick Turner hasn’t done much at USC (29 receptions and 272 yards were career highs in 2006), but he’ll have an opportunity to shine now that Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith are gone. If Turner improves his 40, he could sneak into the first round.
East Carolina
Davon Drew, TE, East Carolina Height: 6-4. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Combine 40 Time: 4.78.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.83.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 31.5.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/5/09: A very good blocker who finally emerged as a reliable weapon in the passing game. Davon Drew finished the campaign with 43 catches, 695 yards and three touchdowns.
10/26/08: An excellent blocker, Davon Drew has 14 receptions on the year.
Khalif Mitchell, DT, East Carolina Height: 6-5. Weight: 316.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Combine 40 Time: 5.09.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.04.
Benchx225: 30. Vertical: 27.5.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/10/09: Khalif Mitchell, a transfer from North Carolina, played through injuries in his senior year. He had three TFL and a sack in seven games.
Memphis
Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis Height: 6-2. Weight: 283.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.83.
Benchx225: 36. Vertical: 38.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/10/09: Clinton McDonald has been a force for Memphis this season, recording 7.5 TFL and seven sacks.
5/9/08: Had 55 tackles, 9.5 TFL and four sacks as a junior.
MISSING
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