College Football Preview

USC Trojans

Ranking the NCAA football teams this early is always challenging and its obviously subject to change after all the spring practices are complete, but let me highlight a team that should be ranked number one or two in all the College Football Pre-Season Polls.

You have to like USC with that defense; they are loaded at quarterback, running back, tackle, end, linebacker and cornerback. On offense they lost Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith to the NFL Draft, but have Running back Chauncey Washington, Tight End Fred Davis and junior receiver Pat Turner, who is 6-4 225 pounds. They have three NFL caliber quarterbacks on the roster; the starter will most likely be returning John David Booty, but sophomore Mark Sanchez is waiting in the wings. The wild card is Mitch Mustain, who had trouble at Arkansas and transferred to USC, Mustain was highly rated coming out of high school. Those QBs will have one of the best offensive lineman in the country blocking for them, Sam Baker has top ten NFL Draft talent.

But back to the defense, the linebackers are scary good. Here is a list of USC linebackers that should be first round draft picks either in the 2008 or 2009 NFL Draft.

Keith Rivers, 6-3 225 lbs. SR

Rey Maualuga, 6-2 250 lbs. JR

Brian Cushing, 6-3 244 lbs. JR

Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and defensive end Lawrence Jackson both look like a first round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft. Terrell Thomas looks like another in a long line of talented USC cornerbacks and Josh Pinkard is no slouch in the defensive backfield himself. NFL Draft Dog will be bringing you extensive college football coverage all year, and you can also check out my Football Blog if you just cant get enough info. Feel free to comment on my blog, as input is always appreciated.