We’ve been breaking down the best NFL prospects in the BCS conferences over the past two weeks. When we sat back and took a look at the PAC-10, it didn’t make sense not put together a list strictly for USC. The have become the nation’s predominant football factory and could compare prospect for prospect with any conference in the country. We will do the same thing for the Florida Gators.

We didn’t want to give Matt Barkley the full-fledged Ron Powlus treatment and put him on this list prematurely. We don’t have any doubt that he’ll end up near the top of the list in the near future, let’s just give him time to breath first.

1. Taylor Mays 6′3″ 230 FS Senior

Mays has the size and strength of a linebacker with the speed and athleticism of a defensive back. On a team loaded with future NFL players, Mays truly sticks out from the pack. He has never felt out of place surrounded by NFL-caliber talent and has a knack for the big play in the big game. Mays is the type of athlete that will challenge for the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He’s never had any character issues and is the type of defensive leader any NFL franchise would welcome.

2. Everson Griffen 6′3″ 280 DE Junior

Even though Griffen didn’t claim a starting spot during his first two years with the Trojans, he has as much upside as anyone on the roster. The ability to physically dominate will never be the question for Griffen and once he starts to harness everything, he’ll be one of the most dangerous defensive players in the country. Griffen’s best football is probably 5-7 years down the road which will make NFL teams that much more excited to draft him. He’s a lock to be a 1st round pick when he decides to come out.

3. Joe McKnight 6′ 200 RB Junior

McKnight is part of a crowded backfield at USC but it will help him in the long run because he is used in optimum situations and does not take as much of a pounding as he would if he were at another PAC-10 school as an every down back. His fresh legs will be an asset in the NFL. McKnight has the ability to break the big play, catch the ball out of the backfield and gain the necessary yards on the ground. He will be a Reggie Bush type in the pros. Don’t forget, even though Bush is being labeled as a ‘bust’ by some, he’s still putting up fantastic numbers and even had a record breaking rookie season (88 receptions).

4. Chris Galippo 6′2″ 255 LB Sophomore

USC had one of the best linebacker corps in the history of college football last season, a group that led one of the greatest college defenses of all time. This year, Chris Galippo is going to make people forget about the loss they suffered to the NFL. After suffering a herniated disc in his back as a true freshman, Galippo backed up the fabulous four last season and it looks like he took some pretty good notes. He’s ready to step in at the middle linebacker position in ‘09 and show why many consider him the best linebacker in the sophomore class. He’ll be one of the most exciting players in college football by the end of the season.

5. Damian Williams 6′1″ 190 WR Junior

While transferring from Arkansas with QB Mitch Mustain, Williams was looked at as somewhat of an afterthought. Two years later, Williams is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the nation and Mustain is the Trojans’ third string quarterback (who will still get a shot in the NFL). Williams is one of the best route runners in the college game and catches anything thrown his way. He can also break the defense down for a big play with his speed and will make life much easier on freshman QB Matt Barkley this season. He’ll be one of the top receivers in the 2011 NFL Draft and will put the questions about USC receivers in the NFL to rest. His work ethic and hard-nosed route running won’t allow him to fail at the next level.

6. Kristofer O’Dowd 6′5″ 300 C Junior

O’Dowd has been the starting center for the Trojans since his first game as a true freshman. A dislocated kneecap set O’Dowd back that season, but he came back strong to anchor a talented offensive line for Pete Carroll last year. The story stays the same this year, as O’Dowd and the rest of USC’s line returns for another run. O’Dowd is the most talented of the bunch and will be too good to pass up for teams drafting late in the first round in 2011. He’s too fundamentally sound not to scoop up. An NFL team will plug him in at the center position and be happy for a decade.

7. Charles Brown 6′5″ 300 OT Senior

Brown has been protecting stars from the day he stepped on campus, whether it was on the scout team or during last season’s biggest games. He’s always got the job done but 2009 will be the season that he puts himself on the NFL Draft map. Blessed with great size and athletic ability, if Brown continues to finish his blocks and improve his hands he’ll become one of the fastest rising offensive players in the nation by April.

8. Michael Morgan 6′4″ 225 LB Junior

Morgan is another linebacker that took advantage of the competition and leadership of an outstanding unit last season. At 6′4″, Morgan has a big enough frame to add 30-40 pounds without missing a beat. He runs like a deer and has the sideline to sideline speed that NFL scouts salivate over. He’ll develop more strength which will give him the ability to punish opposing blockers and finish plays in the backfield. For now, he’ll depend on his great athleticism and strength to make him one of the best linebackers in the PAC-10.

9. Anthony McCoy 6′5″ 250 TE Senior

McCoy will be looked upon to be Matt Barkley’s safety net this season. After having a productive junior year and bailing Mark Sanchez out of trouble in key situations, McCoy will have an even bigger season in 2009. He has great hands and blocks aggressively to boot. Tight end has been a position of strength for the Men of Troy over the years and McCoy will surely keep the tradition going strong until he hands over the reins to Blake Ayles, who is waiting patiently for his time to shine.

10. Stanley Havili 6′1″ 230 FB Junior

Havili is a devastating blocker, a great ball carrier and a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Combine those assets with his intensity and love for setting up his teammates and you have everything you could possibly want in a fullback at any level. He was such a great athlete in high school that he had 1,000 yard rushing and receiving during his senior season in Salt Lake City. Only at USC would such a talented player be a lead blocker.
Best of The Rest
Malcolm Smith LB Jr
Stafon Johnson RB Sr
Marc Tyler RB So
Zack Heberer OG Jr
Armond Armstead DT So
CJ Gable RB Jr
Blake Ayles TE So
Aaron Corp QB So
Mitch Mustain QB Jr
Shareece Wright CB Jr