Sleeper in Seattle: The Jeff Byers Story

Jeff Byers and Taylor Mays had something in common after the draft: Neither was selected with a pick from former coach Pete Carroll.

However, Byers managed to go from a fourth or fifth round projected selection to an undrafted rookie free agent—and when it mattered most to his Troy, Pete Carroll was there to sweep him up and give him an opportunity.

I don't think Carroll would have done that for any of his former players.

Byers hasn't once complained about his long, deep fall out of the limelight.

Most people who really pay attention to USC football find him to be a fascinating story. The kid who was once viewed as a definite, future franchise center got stopped in his tracks by injury; then he found two years of additional eligibility by staying at USC to get his MBA.

That's right—this guy has his MBA from the Marshall School of Business. I could say that USC football helped him get in, but if he was just there to play football, why didn't he get a Masters in Finger Painting?

Probably because he is a damn smart guy, respectable in every way, but mean enough on the football field to be feared by opponents.

Pete knows what he is up against in Seattle.

That team didn't have a single player you would want on your fantasy football team last year (I drafted John Carlson, but without a quarterback, he ended up being disappointing). He doesn't have the freedom and job security to just snatch up former players who are wandering around looking for jobs.

Pete Carroll added Jeff Byers to his roster because the guy is an absolute steal.

When it comes to Seattle's dismal offensive line, Byers will be an undrafted franchise center. Not many people can have that title.

And the only reason that a center who is smart enough to get an MBA fell out of the draft was he dealt with some injury issues?

There just weren't many people interested in drafting centers this year, and Byers will feel the pinch on his pocketbook because of it. Not saying he has a lot to complain about with the salary he will end up making, but who doesn't want more money?

That seems to be the tale of this USC draft class, but more particularly, Mr. Byers: a bunch of promising athletes from a more than prominent program insulted by the NFL unintentionally by sliding deeper in the draft than they should have.

I personally expect great things from Jeff, and from this entire draft class. It has been a long time since USC players have been insulted like that.

It should light a fire beneath him and bring him back up to his potential. It will make those scouts who doubted his ability because of his injury history wish they had given him a second thought.

But the underlying story, hidden behind Byers' fall from Los Angeles' glory, is that when one of Pete Carroll's former players really needed an opportunity and was deserving, Pete was there.

If Pete believes in him, I'll expect Jeff Byers to succeed.