Trojans in the NFL: 2007 Mini Camp Photos

Here's some pictures from around the NFL, as teams conduct their mini camps following the draft. Maybe the recent success of Carson Palmer and Reggie Bush will carry over into some of our guys listed below.

LB Oscar Lua #49, New England Patriots

WR Steve Smith #12, New York Giants

Smith again, and WR Dwayne Jarrett #82, Carolina Panthers

WR Keary Colbert #83, Carolina, and RB LenDale White, Tennessee Titans

WR Mike Williams #17, Oakland Raiders

Recap of Trojans in the NFL Draft

After two days and 255 picks, the 2007 NFL Draft is in the books. This year's draft saw 5 Trojans selected, including three on Day 1, but none of them heard their name called in the 1st Round. This marks the first time since 2002 that a USC player is not selected in the 1st Round. Below is an overview of where our Trojans were selected...I'll post a picture of each player's introduction at his team's headquarters, if and when they become available...

WR Dwayne Jarrett -- Carolina Panthers, 2nd Rd / Pick #13 (#45 overall)

Of the 5 Trojans drafted, WR Dwayne Jarrett had to have been the most disappointed. Many considered him a 1st Round lock after his impressive performance in the Rose Bowl win over Michigan, where he dominated the All-American cornerback Leon Hall (who was drafted 18th overall). However, a slow 40 time and a perceived laziness raised question marks about Jarrett's work ethic. His stock plummeted from being the 2nd best WR (after Calvin Johnson) to a borderline 1st Round pick. Jarrett waited through the entire 1st Round and watched 7 WRs get drafted ahead of him, until finally hearing his name called as the 13th selection of the 2nd Round. This is a good fit for DJ though. He will learn the ropes from former Trojan greats Keyshawn Johnson and Keary Colbert, and should eventually succeed Keyshawn at WR.

WR Steve Smith -- New York Giants, 2nd Rd / Pick #19 (#51 overall)
Smith goes into a good situation with the Giants. He can compete for the #3 or possibly the #2 WR position (behind Plaxico Burress) and eventually replace the aging Amani Toomer.

C Ryan Kalil -- Carolina Panthers, 2nd Rd / Pick #27 (#59 overall)
Kalil will join DJ, as well as former teammate Keary Colbert in Carolina. Kalil has first round talent and can be considered a steal for the Panthers at pick #59 overall. Kalil should compete for a starting job, and will be at worst, a valuable back up next season.

LB Dallas Sartz -- Washington Redskins, 5th Rd / Pick #6 (#143 overall)
Sartz has a chance to make the team if he can contribute on special teams. He's a smart player, and was a captain on a great Trojan defense.

LB Oscar Lua -- New England Patriots, 7th Rd / Pick #1 (#211 overall)
Lua is a great fit for the Patriots, who employ 2 inside LBs in their 3-4 scheme. He has a chance to learn from two of the smartest, most instinctive LBs in the game, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, and then eventually replace one of them.

** On a personal side note: Kicker Justin Medlock (5th Rd) was the only fucla player chosen in the entire draft. That's pathetic!

Fight On!

USC hopefuls in the 2007 NFL Draft

Conquest Chronicles has a nice draft day preview for our USC Trojans that are looking to get drafted this weekend. Be sure to go on there and share your thoughts. I'm not sure if LB's Oscar Lua and Dallas Sartz, or WR Chris McFoy will be selected in this year's draft, but I'll highlight the 3 studs who all have a chance to go in the 1st Round in the paragraphs below. As for Lua, Sartz, and McFoy: they'll probably have to take the undrafted route and earn an opportunity in the league through NFL Europe, like former Trojans Justin Wyatt, John Walker, and Tom Malone are doing right now.

In my final mock draft projection, I listed Dwayne Jarrett as the only Trojan selected in the 1st Round, but keep in mind that Ryan Kalil and Steve Smith are two of the fastest rising prospects in this draft. I wouldn't be shocked at all to hear their all of their names in Round 1. Below is a breakdown of where I think each one may go...

WR Dwayne Jarrett - Projection: #23 Kansas City Chiefs

There are plenty of teams that need a WR. In order of their selections, they are: #7 Minnesota, #11 San Francisco, #13 St. Louis, #16 Green Bay, #19 Tennessee, #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #23 Kansas City, #25 NY Jets, #26 Philadelphia, #30 San Diego, and #31 Chicago. Though all of these teams are in dire need of a WR, I think the earliest that Jarrett will go is #16 to the Packers. Jarrett is just too talented, and there are too many potential suitors for me to believe that he will fall out of the 1st Round.

C Ryan Kalil - Projection: 2nd Round, #33 Oakland Raiders

I believe that Ryan Kalil will be the best pro in this Trojan draft class, and maybe even the best lineman overall. Kalil has 1st Round talent and value, but the problem is that the teams that really like him (which is probably all 32) have so many more pressing needs than center. The teams to keep on eye on though are: #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #22 Dallas, #24 and #28 New England, # 27 New Orleans, #29 Baltimore, #33 (2nd Rd) Oakland, #34 Detroit, #40 Miami, #42 San Francisco, #46 Pittsburgh, and #52 St. Louis. Kalil is the kind of player teams trade up for so it'll be interesting to see where he goes. I'd give him 50% chance to go 1st Round.

WR Steve Smith - Projection: 2nd Round, #41 Minnesota Vikings

Steve is a hot commodity these days. I believe he has a 33% chance to go in the 1st Round, but the problem is that this is such a deep draft when it comes to WR's. Steve Smith displays leadership, toughness, quickness and great route running. He is the definition of a FOOTBALL PLAYER. However, unless there is an early run on WR's, Smith is likely to fall to the 2nd Round. Possible destinations for Smith include: #20 NY Giants, #21 Denver, #22 Dallas, #23 Kansas City, #25 NY Jets, #26 Philadelphia, #27 New Orleans, #30 San Diego, #31 and #37 Chicago, #36 Tampa Bay, and # 40 Miami. I guarantee that Smith will not drop below Tennessee at #50, where he'd be re-united with his old OC Norm Chow.

The Raiders are now on the clock...good luck to all our guys.

Fight On!