warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

NFL Combine: USC Roundup

Kate Rooney |
February 29, 2012 | 12:18 p.m. PST

Senior Sports Editor

Perry should be a top defensive prospect after his impressive combine showing. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)
Perry should be a top defensive prospect after his impressive combine showing. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)
The University of Southern California hasn't earned the nickname "NFL Factory" for nothing. Seven Trojans lifted and dashed their way through this year's NFL Combine, which culminated Tuesday. Here's a look at how they performed:

Rhett Ellison, TE: A versatile guy who spent time at tight end and fullback, Ellison neither surprised nor disappointed at the combine. He hit 30.5 inches on the vertical jump, 9'1" on the broad jump, and finished the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.88. NFL.com gave him an overall grade of 69.5, and nfldraftscout.com predicts a sixth-round draft spot for the 6-foot-5, 250 lb. athlete.

Chris Galippo, LB: Galippo was a stalwart of the Trojans front seven through good times and bad. As younger talent emerged broke out in the 2011 season, Galippo was an every-down athlete but maintained more a leadership role. Unsurprisingly, his performance at the combine was underwhelming. Galippo ran the 40 in 4.87 and the 20-yard shuttle (a more important skill test for players who don't run long distances) in a very solid 4.10. Galippo has long been projected to be a late-round draft pick, and his combine performance shouldn't change that.

DaJohn Harris, DT: Due to an unknown injury, Harris didn't participate in any of the combine drills--all he could do was weigh in (at 6-foot-3; 306 lbs.). Harris is known for good speed, but scouts have said he could stand to lose a few pounds. He was an inconsisent in his early USC career but appeared to blossom under Lane Kiffin. Harris finished 2011 with 21 tackles, but his game was "marred by intermittent intensity, unrefined technique and disappointing production," according to ProFootballWeekly.com. He was given a grade of 72.7 at the combine. 

Kalil will likely snag a top draft spot following his strong showing. (James Santelli/Neon Tommy)
Kalil will likely snag a top draft spot following his strong showing. (James Santelli/Neon Tommy)
Matt Kalil, OT: All eyes were on Kalil, who has been touted as a potential top-three draft pick. And he likely solidified a high pick with an impressive combine performance. At a whopping 6-foot-seven and 306 lbs., Kalil still has speed--he had the second-best times in the 40 (4.99) and three-cone drill (7.33) among offensive linemen. The strength and endurance is there, too, with 30 reps in the 225-lb. bench press. Robert Griffin III may have snagged the No. 2 spot in the draft with his combine showing, but look for Kalil to go No. 3 or close to it. Watch the talented OT in action here.

Nick Perry, DE: Perry is the least experienced Trojan in this year's draft class, but after Kalil had the strongest combine performance. Perry finished the 2011 season riding high, with 54 tackles and 9 sacks, and carried that momentum right into the combine drills. With his 4.64 in the 40, 35 reps on the 225-lb. bench, and 38.5-inch vertical jump (tops among defensive linemen), Perry easily made a case for himself as a mid-first-round pick.

Christian Tupou, DT: Unlike Perry, Tupou did little to propel himself into an enviable draft position. After missing the 2010 season with an ACL injury and being overshadowed by young guns in 2011, Tupou needed a high-level combine showing to make teams take notice. Alas, with times like 5.42 in the 40 and 8.07 in the three cone drill, Tupou confirmed fears that his speed isn't up to par. He his 30 reps in the 225-lb. press were decent, but not overwheming for a guy who's 6-foot-2, 289 lbs. Barring a truly spectacular Pro Day performance, expect Tupou to go very late or miss being drafted.

Marc Tyler, RB: Tyler's another player with a lot to prove at USC's upcoming Pro Day. A well-documented rollercoaster of a season did little to raise Tyler's draft stock--and neither did his combine performance. With 19 reps in the 225-lb. press, and a 40 time of 4.76, Tyler showed he needs to work on both strength and speed. NFL.com gave him an overall grade of 52.5.

USC's Pro Day is Wednesday, March 7.

________________________________

Reach Kate by email, or follow her on Twitter.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.