USC COULD BE FEELING DRAFT TROJANS HAVE TOP PROSPECTS.

Byline: MATTHEW KREDELL Staff Writer

From BCS controversy to a championship blowout, from South Bend heroics to a Rose Bowl collapse, this crop of USC players always knew how to keep a nation buzzing.

So perhaps it's only fitting that USC will produce many of the most compelling storylines in New York today for the first day of the NFL draft.

Reggie Bush's unwillingness to compromise on contract negotiations apparently cost him the first pick in the draft. Houston, long expected to take the explosive running back with the first selection, instead signed North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams on Friday after talks with Bush broke down.

Then there's Matt Leinart, and the question of whether or not the quarterback will be reunited with his former USC offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, in Tennessee, or perhaps take his Hollywood persona to the Big Apple and become the Jets' most popular quarterback since "Broadway" Joe Namath.

And then there's LenDale White, whose stock is plummeting because of a failed drug test at the NFL combine and his aborted workout for scouts during USC's pro day.

In the long run, the most memorable and noteworthy part of this draft could be USC's class as a whole, which figures to rival the best in school history and take its place among the top draft class any college has ever produced.

"I don't know where it ranks, but it's very impressive," San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "Everyone's talking about how great a group this is, and it's no surprise to me when you match the players with their accomplishments. You're talking two national championships and almost a third, so it all adds up."

The University of Miami set the standard two years ago when it had six players go in the first round. A few months ago, when tight end Dominique Byrd soared into the spotlight with a great performance in the Senior Bowl, it appeared this Trojan class might be able to challenge those Hurricanes.

The hype on Byrd seems to have leveled off, though he is still projected to be drafted on the first day.

USC remains in contention to equal the school record of five first-rounders from 1968. Miami's draft class of 2002 is the only other team with five first-round picks.

Bush, Leinart and offensive tackle Winston Justice are first-round locks. White has a chance to stay in the first 32 picks if a team pays more attention to his play on the field than his trouble this offseason. The wild-card is safety Darnell Bing, who could sneak into the first round to start comparisons to the 1968 class.

That year, USC also had the first overall selection in offensive tackle Ron Yary. Another tackle, Mike Taylor, went No. 10, followed by defensive end Tim Rossovich at 14, running back Mike Hull at 16 and receiver Earl McCullouch at 24.

Even if USC places five players in the first round, it will have a long way to go to match the accomplishments of those selected in 1968. Yary was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after a 15-year career with the Vikings and Rams, and McCullouch and Rossovich were All-Pros, with McCullouch also winning Rookie of the Year honors. Hull lasted eight years in the league, including three as starting fullback for the Chicago Bears.

"I challenge these guys to stay in the league as long and be as productive as our class," said Hull, now an attorney in Orange County. "I doubt any of them will be as productive as Ron Yary. The challenge is just beginning for these guys. They shouldn't just count dollars. They got to perform."

Bush and Leinart are likely to go in the first five picks. Justice, the most impressive performer at USC's pro day, also has a chance to go in the top 10.

At least one NFL Hall of Famer is a believer in Leinart.

"He has such a command of what he's doing in the offense, what everyone's jobs are and how to get people in the right situation depending on what the defense is," said Warren Moon, who will be inducted to the Hall in August. "He's very good at the line of scrimmage, kind of like Peyton Manning is in the NFL."

Bush draws comparisons to many NFL greats, perhaps most to Marshall Faulk and Gale Sayers.

"Reggie's got so much to offer," said Hull, who blocked for Sayers during his time with the Bears. "Gale just had great natural ability, wonderful quickness and wonderful instincts. But he didn't have near the speed or power that Reggie Bush has. I think Reggie has the opportunity to be somebody like that, but he has a huge challenge ahead to compare to Gale Sayers over the next couple of years."

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) LenDale White's NFL stock has dropped over the past few weeks, but he could still be a first-rounder.

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

(2) From left; Mario Williams, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart

Getty Images

Box:

NFL mock draft

By Matthew Kredell