A pair of junior USC Trojans standouts heard their names called on Thursday night in the first round of the NFL Draft in New York City. All-American left tackle Matt Kalil was picked No. 4 by the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive end Nick Perry went No. 28 to the Green Bay Packers.
The Trojans hadn't had multiple first round picks since Mark Sanchez, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews were selected int he first round in 2009. USC has had 17 first round NFL draft picks in the last 10 years.
| USC Trojans Drafted In First Round, 2003-2012 | ||||
| Year | Pick | Pos | Player | Team |
| 2012 | 4 | T | Matt Kalil | Minneosta Vikings |
| 2012 | 28 | DE | Nick Perry |
Green Bay Packers |
| 2011 | 9 | T | Tyron Smith | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2009 | 5 | QB | Mark Sanchez |
New York Jets |
| 2009 | 15 | LB | Brian Cushing |
Houston Texans |
| 2009 | 26 | LB | Clay Matthews | Green Bay Packers |
| 2008 | 7 | DT | Sedrick Ellis |
New Orleans Saints |
| 2008 | 9 | LB | Keith Rivers |
Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2008 | 21 | T | Sam Baker |
Atlanta Falcons |
| 2008 | 28 | DE | Lawrence Jackson |
Seattle Seahawks |
| 2006 | 2 | RB | Reggie Bush | New Orleans Saints |
| 2006 | 10 | QB | Matt Leinart |
Arizona Cardinals |
| 2005 | 10 | WR | Mike Williams |
Detroit Lions |
| 2005 | 31 | DT | Mike Patterson |
Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2004 | 20 | DE | Kenechi Udeze | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2003 | 1 | QB | Carson Palmer | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2003 | 16 | S | Troy Polamalu |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
For more news and notes on Kalil, Perry or USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles. Be sure to follow SB Nation for full draft news and analysis.
