FARGAS' TREK TO NFL LIKELY TO END HAPPILY SEVERAL LOCALS COULD GET CALL.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Justin Fargas looked like a future NFL standout at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks. His combination of speed and strength made him possibly the best running back ever to come out of the San Fernando Valley.

The road to his dream had more twists than ``Joe Millionaire,'' though.

Having overcome four years as one of college football's biggest busts, a shattered leg that caused worries of amputation and a transfer from Michigan to USC, Fargas will reach the final destination everyone predicted for him when he is drafted into the NFL today.

Fargas' long, trying journey to the NFL is representative of many players in what figures to be one of the best drafts for local talent in decades.

``Being drafted will be a special moment for me, especially after all the setbacks in college,'' Fargas said. ``Ever since I picked up a football, I've wanted to play in the NFL.''

For the seventh time in the draft's 67-year history, the No. 1 pick will be a local product. USC quarterback Carson Palmer will join offensive lineman Ron Yary, running back O.J. Simpson, running back Ricky Bell and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson as Trojans selected first overall. Troy Aikman from UCLA and John Elway from Granada Hills also were No. 1 picks.

Palmer signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, capping his own roller-coaster college career.

Palmer left Santa Margarita High with high expectations that he did not live up to in his first four years at USC, including a medical redshirt. Last year, he might have been a second-day selection in the draft. But he turned it all around in his senior season, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading USC to a victory in the Orange Bowl.

Palmer is one of three locals expected to go in the first round, joining teammate Troy Polamalu and California quarterback Kyle Boller, a Hart High of Newhall graduate.

Boller was considered the top quarterback in the nation coming out of high school but struggled for three seasons. Yet, with judgment day here, he is right where everyone who watched his tight spirals at Hart thought he'd be.

``I always believed that the NFL was the next thing after college, even when few other people did,'' Boller said. ``It doesn't really surprise me because I always believed in myself and felt I could do what I did. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to do it.''

Last year, only four local players were drafted on the first day, which consists of three rounds. This draft could see as many as seven players go today. Fargas is projected to go in the first or second round. USC wide receiver Kareem Kelly could go in the third round. Two tight ends, Mike Seidman of UCLA and George Wrighster of Oregon, who played at Sylmar High, also might slip into the third round.

The second day of the draft, on Sunday, will show the depth of the talent from this area. The speed of USC's other running back, Sultan McCullough, will be difficult to overlook in the fourth round. Others who could go in the last two rounds or will certainly get a shot as free agents include: safety Deshaun Hill, running back Malaefou MacKenzie, cornerback Darrell Rideaux, defensive lineman Bernard Riley and offensive lineman Zach Wilson from USC; punter Nate Fikse, cornerback Ricky Manning and offensive lineman Michael Saffer from UCLA; and defensive lineman Matt Leonard from Stanford, who played at Palmdale High.

All of the local players in the draft are seniors except for Wrighster, who left Oregon after a junior season in which he had 41 receptions for 568 yards and six touchdowns. He believes he could go as high as late in the first round, contrary to most projections.

``They will be proven wrong (today),'' Wrighster said. ``That's why those people don't get paid to draft. I'm pretty certain I'll go at least in the second round. I came out because I knew I had the talent to play in the NFL, and that I was ready.''

Many of the local players have improved their draft stock during the offseason.

Boller has made himself the most money this offseason, jumping two rounds by proving to be the most athletic of the top quarterbacks at the NFL combine in February and showing off his strong arm in a later workout.

Fargas was the talk of the combine, running below 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressing 225 pounds 27 times.

``I believe I showed them I'm a total football player,'' Fargas said. ``Hopefully, they recognize that. Hopefully someone's eyes were opened and they see that I will be able to help them at the next level.''

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

(color) USC tailback Justin Fargas is projected to go in the first or second round of the NFL draft.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) LOCAL DRAFT HOPEFULS

(2) Daily News MOCK DRAFT