(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
At this time three years ago, Southern Cal had played in the National Championship, barely losing to Texas and Vince Young. The Trojans boasted of two Heisman trophy winners, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinhart, leading a phalanx of Trojans into the NFL draft.
11 players were drafted by NFL teams. Five of them declared early for the draft. After three NFL seasons, let’s examine how all have fared.
Four of the top five Trojan draftees have become integral parts of their teams:
Reggie Bush RB
Drafted in the first round, second pick (1-2). Games (G) – 38, Games Started (GS) – 27. Depth Chart - first string running back (Saints). Exciting, a good player, but has limitations running from tackle to tackle.
Matt Leinhart QB
(1-10). G - 21, GS – 16. Depth Chart - second string QB (Cardinals). Will he be holding a clipboard until Kurt Warner retires?
Deuce Lutui G
(2-41). G - 46, GS – 40. Depth Chart – first string RG (Cardinals). A serviceable starter, better than average but not outstanding.
LenDale White RB
(2-45). G – 45, GS – 18. Depth Chart – first string RB (Titans). Really a second stringer in a two back rotation.
Judging by games played and games started, Lutui has been the most valuable contribution to his team. Bush and White declared early for the draft that year.
The other seven have not fared as well.
Winston Justice, T.
(2-39), drafted higher than Lutui and White, has been second string for three years on an Eagles team that always seems to be searching for tackles. G – 12. GS - 1. Disappointingly second string material. Gave up 11 sacks in a game against the New York Giants.
Frostee Rucker
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