USC PRO DAY IS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

When UCLA recently held its pro day, where draft-eligible players work out for NFL scouts and coaches, it wasn't much different than most colleges. Along with the NFL men with their clipboards and stopwatches, there were a smattering of agents, underclassmen, and curious students, as well as a few reporters to watch the players go through their paces in relative peace and quiet.

When USC holds its pro day today on campus, it will be - like most things that involve the Trojans these days - an event.

The number of NFL general managers, coaches and scouts expected at USC to watch Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and perhaps as many as six first-round picks may reach triple digits.

``I hope I don't get stuck in traffic,'' said Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, one of seven people from his organization who will be in attendance.

ESPN, Fox Sports and the NFL Network will be covering the workout and enough out-of-town reporters - from New York, New Orleans and Houston, among other places - have called that the school will be issuing credentials.

Enough fans are expected that only the drills being held at the Cromwell Field track stadium - the 40-yard dash, weight lifting and cone drills - are open to the public. It is necessary to close the passing, catching and kicking drills, which will be held across the street at Howard Jones Field, where there are no stands, so fire codes aren't violated, a USC spokesman said.

USC coach Pete Carroll is taking advantage of the exposure by moving the workouts to a weekend to coincide with the school's junior day, when USC invites its high school recruiting targets for a campus visit.

``It's a chance to showcase all the fun that goes on here,'' Carroll said. ``We've been working to really make this something special and we're expecting a great turnout.''

While Miami produced six first-round picks in 2004, it's rare that a school puts out as many top prospects in one draft as USC.

In addition to Bush and Leinart, who could go 1-2 in the draft, tailback LenDale White and tackle Winston Justice may be mid-first rounders, as could safety Darnell Bing, who appears to be gathering momentum. Guard Duce Latui may sneak into the first round, too.

Others expected to get drafted are guard Fred Matua, tight end Dominique Byrd - probably on the first day - and punter Tom Malone.

But why, with all the film of USC in big games over the last three years, is there so much fuss over a workout?

``We have tapes, but at some of the workouts, you have them do somethings you need to do for Baltimore,'' Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. ``Phil (Savage, the Browns general manager) might have them do some things they have to do for Cleveland.''

Thus, Fisher - a former USC defensive back - is not only being accompanied by general manager Floyd Reese and offensive coordinator Norm Chow, the former USC coach, but he's bringing three of his own receivers to town for a private workout with Leinart on Monday.

Leinart will be asked to make specific throws, the same ones the Titans have asked the other top quarterbacks in the draft - Texas' Vince Young and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler - to make in workouts with them.

``Workouts are important in how you analyze them,'' Fisher said. ``We're going to be consistent with the evaluation of the quarterbacks - have them do the exact same things, the exact same throws, although you can't get them under the exact same circumstances.''

Most of the other Trojans will be getting the once over off the field, too. Bing, for example, has met with the Patriots and 49ers the past two days, and was planning to meet with the Panthers for dinner Saturday night.

Carroll will address the NFL people this morning at 10:30, talking about each of his players before the workouts begin out on the track, sometime between 11:15 and noon.