Dear Potential USC Trojan Linebacker Recruits: Read The NFL Rookie Awards

Dear Jackson Jeffcoat, Jordan Hicks, Christian Jones, Hayes Pullard, et.al.,

Have you read the news coming out the NFL regarding their defensive rookie of the year award?

Brian Cushing, the overall #15 pick of the Houston Texans, has just been awarded this prestigious award celebrating his 134 tackles, two forced fumbles, four interceptions and five sacks.

Cushing, a veritable tackle machine, will also find himself in the Pro bowl as well.

Wait, it gets better.

Clay Matthews, the overall #26 pick of the Green Bay Packers, finished third in that same voting by accumulating 51 tackles, one forced fumble and 10 sacks.

Matthews was one of only 13 NFL players to have 10 or more sacks in the NFL this year.

Hold on, I'm not finished yet.

Rey Maualuga, the #38 overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals,  had a fine rookie season as well before he broke his ankle. He finished with 63 tackles, three forced fumbles and one sack.

You think I am finished? Not quite.

Kaluka Maiava, the fourth round pick of the Cleveland Browns, excelled as well.

Maiava had a great rookie season with 45 tackles, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks.

What do these four players have in common?

Well, they are all former USC Trojans who were among the eleven USC players drafted by NFL teams after the 2008 season.

Oh yeah, and they are all linebackers.

Guess what?

The Trojans need linebackers and Ken Norton, USC's linebacker coach and former NFL linebacker himself is just dying to coach you.

Just think of it Jackson, Jordan, Christian and Hayes.

Not only would you be joining a premier college football team that has a legitimate shot at a national championship every year but you would be coached by a man with a proven track record of putting his charges in a very favorable position come NFL draft time.

The facts tell the story.

USC has been producing fine linebackers for a long time.

Just before these four linebackers burst on the scene, Keith Rivers was also a first round draft choice of the Bengals in 2007.

There have been many others but you get the idea.

Besides, think of how good you will look in those Trojan uniforms.

Please don't thank me for bringing all this to your attention.

I'm just a giver that way.

Besides, your signature on a USC letter of intent on February 2 will be thanks enough.