- Another early prediction for the 2008 NFL draft. Six Trojans are on the list:
3. Sam Baker, T, USC: He will be the next in a long line of great offensive lineman from USC. He's a massive man at 6-6, 310 pounds.
5. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC: You can never have enough good pass rushers in a draft, and this guy tops them all. He really brings it off the edge.
27. Keith Rivers, LB, USC: Said he was told he'd be a second-round pick if he had entered this year's draft. With another season, he's into the top 32.
32. Brian Cushing, LB, USC: He played defensive end last year, but he will move to linebacker in the NFL. He would be an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker. He's a tough guy.
In the Mix: John David Booty, QB, USC; Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
I think Baker and Jackson are too high and Rivers is too low. Don't think Cushing will crack the 1st round because he doesn't seem like the type that would perform well at the combines. Booty is too short to be in the mix for the 1st round.
- OJ Mayo barely hangs on to the top spot in the USAToday 2007 rankings. The top 5 is below:
1. OJ Mayo: 6-4 SG - USC
2. Eric Gordon: 6-4 SG - Indiana
3. Kevin Love: 6-9 C/PF - UCLA
4. Michael Beasley: 6-9 PF - Kansas State
5. Derrick Rose: 6-3 PG - Memphis
- Pac-10 predictions from ESPN:
1. USC
2. California
3. UCLA
4. Oregon State
5. Arizona
6. Oregon
7. Arizona State
8. Washington State
9. Washington
10. StanfordToughest Schedule: Washington
Offensive POY: John David Booty
Defensive POY: Antoine Cason
Newcomer of the Year: Jake Locker (freshman UW QB)
Comeback POY: Jeff Byers
Breakout POY: Brandon Gibson (Wazzu WR)
Most Overrated Player: Jonathan Stewart
Most Underrated Player: Ryan Torain (ASU RB)
Most Dynamic Player: DeSean Jackson
Coach on the Hot Seat: Bill Doba
Team that May Surprise: ASU
Team that May Disappoint: Cal
Pac-10 Champion: USCI like Everson Griffen for "Newcomer of the Year", Keith Rivers for "Defensive POY", and Sean Canfield for "Breakout POY". Everything else I pretty much agree on...
