In the middle of Spring Ball USC held its Pro Day last week.
We all remember how Pro Day when Pete Carroll was here...everyone wanted to be a part of it.
Of course with team down a bit and with some of the busts we have had in the league things are a little more tempered. But even with all that USC still brings them out in droves and the program is a lot more healthy than some might think.
Former USC football players showcased their skills to NFL personnel Wednesday, hoping to increase their chances of getting drafted later this month.
That’s right. On one of the hottest days of the semester, the hottest place to be was Cromwell Field, watching players many people will only ever see on TV. Rarely is the entire USC community pulled together by one gravitational event on campus, but Wednesday’s Pro Day happened to be one of those days.
It was a sight fill any Trojan with a sense of pride, and also served to challenge those who had written off USC. Football is alive and well in Southern California, and Pro Day is still a big deal around here.
Only a few schools in the country can annually attract large crowd for Pro Day, and USC is still one of those schools. Yes, there were probably a dozen schools this year with a larger turnouts during their Pro Days, but often it was to see an exception, one player with extremely huge potential.
Lane Kiffin can focus on getting players ready with not having to worry about managing the hype like there was in the past.
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Tyron Smith adds to his credentials by putting on the pounds
Tyron Smith has really got everyone's attention. he has bulked up and really become a physical specimen.
If Smith keeps impressing teams the way he has, he won't have to wait long to be picked. Many teams see him as the most athletic tackle in the draft, and Smith has answered the main question of scouts — can he get bigger? — by bulking up to 310 pounds. He has never played at more than 285.
"It's been important to gain the weight so I can feel more comfortable about myself and feel more healthy," said Smith, who said he envisions playing at 315. "It's natural weight."
There were dozens of NFL scouts in attendance at pro day, during which Smith and several other USC players worked out. Head coaches Jason Garrett of Dallas and Hue Jackson of Oakland were there too.
It was the only pro day Garrett has attended, further raising speculation that the Cowboys are interested in taking Smith with the ninth pick. Smith has seven trips planned to visit teams, including a stop in Dallas next week.
I am not a Cowboys fan but I will watch them a lot more closely if they pick Smith.
Smith has really turned heads in evaluations. Smith has been so impressive the he has been invited to the NFL Draft in NYC this month.
Smith himself says he had a lot to prove.
Here is what some said about Smith as he went into Pro Day
When Tyron Smith came out of high school, everyone expected him to be an outstanding player. He was a 5-star recruit as a left tackle. All the top programs in the country were recruiting him. As a freshman he played in 10 games as a backup at left tackle. In his sophomore year, the right tackle job was open and he secured it and was a fixture there the last two seasons. At the time he was ready to start, Saints 2010 2nd round pick Charles Brown was the starter at left tackle and so Smith played on the right side.
Smith on tape looks to easily be the most athletic tackle in this year’s draft. He has great size at 6-5 and 307 pounds with a great physique and extremely long arms (36 3/8). He did not do drill work at the Combine because he was still doing rehab from a December knee scope. He will be working out at the end of this week at the USC pro day. He did bench in Indy and did 29 reps, which is excellent for a guy with such long arms.
Smith will be a great get for whomever selects him.
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Here are bunch of interviews from Pro Day...
USC Pro Day 2011 interview with Jordan Cameron
USC Pro Day 2011 interview with Jurrell Casey
Former USC receiver Ronald Johnson talks after Pro Day 3/30/11
USC Pro Day interview with Allen Bradford
USC Pro Day 2011 interview with CJ Gable
USC Pro Day Report - USCFootball.com Video
FightOn247.com TV: USC's 2011 Pro-Day Highlights
Pro Day tidbits plus some video - ESPN Los Angeles
Video Breakdown from USC pro day - The Orange County Register
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I saved this for last.
So, what about Mitch Mustain?
Mustain won our hearts when he came to USC and competed for the starting job when there was no guarantee that he would win the job. He never made a complaint about the situation. Even after his sub par performance against ND the fan base stood behind him. Then there was his brush with the law that turned out to be nothing but still left a bit a bit of a stain on Mustain's character.
Mustain addressed those issues at Pro Day...
Mustain spent much of his post-workout interview with the media defending himself after he was arrested in early February on suspicion of selling prescription drugs.
"I don't feel like there's an issue with that," Mustain said. "It was an isolated incident. I feel like I've more than proved myself beyond that. ... I'm not a problem child."
Mustain was arrested Feb. 1 but will not be charged if he completes a diversion program.
In the meantime, he's trying to latch onto a team after receiving minimal playing time at USC
While it may have been isolated it still will be brought up by prospective NFL teams.
We wish Mustain luck but this was not how many of thought his career at USC would end...