For this season at least, the University of Southern California should be known as Linebacker U.

That title has traditionally been worn by Penn State University, but given that the Trojans will most likely have all three of their starting ’backers taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, it’s clear that an exception needs to be made.

Perhaps the least heralded of the trio is Brian Cushing, a 6-3, 250-pounder who has stayed somewhat in the shadow of the better-known Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga. Cushing is no secret to NFL scouts, however. In fact, there is a school of thought among draft experts that it is Cushing who, of the three, may end up having the most successful NFL career.

The reasoning behind this thinking is due to a few things. For one, Cushing’s intensity level is unmatched. He was called a bulldog by both USC Head Coach Pete Carroll and linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr. He plays the entire game at one speed – full speed – and can wreak absolute havoc on offenses due to his relentless motor and game-changing playmaking ability.

Another reason for the scouts’ love affair with Cushing is the New Jersey native’s versatility. He is capable of playing any linebacker position, both on the inside and on the outside – an asset that makes him capable of fitting in with any defensive scheme.

Lastly, teams can’t get enough of Cushing’s athleticism. He was actually recruited out of high school as a strong safety, but his work in the weight room led to such a dramatic weight gain that he grew into the linebacker position. Despite packing on the extra muscle, Cushing has managed to maintain the quickness and speed he displayed as a defensive back prospect.

As with every potential draftee, Cushing has a few question marks surrounding him. One is that he and the rest of his USC teammates look better on tape because they all have played with such a strong supporting cast. Critics claim that if they did not have each other, they would be less impressive individually as prospects. A more serious concern is one that has dogged him since high school, and that is the issue of steroids. Despite never having failed a single drug test, Cushing has had to consistently endure claims that he uses steroids, including a recently surfaced report that was categorically denied by Cushing’s handlers and coaches.

It’s unlikely that this “bulldog” will let the rumors get to him. The gym rat who wears an “I Hate Haters” t-shirt when he works out knows a thing or two about deflecting criticism. Because what really matters is that on draft day, Brian Cushing will be feeling the love.

Latest on Cushing:

Pete Carroll denies internet report that Cushing and USC linebacker Clay Matthews used steroids

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Houston Texans will take Cushing with the 15^th overall pick, while his ESPN colleague Todd McShay says that Cushing will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins.

Cushing Says:

On being called a bulldog by USC linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr.:

“It’s a violent sport where the more vile the name coaches call you, the higher the compliment. What other business could you be in where a coach calls you a [expletive] and you love every second of it?”

In response to the steroids allegations that seemingly follow him everywhere he goes:

“I really believe it’s almost the American point of view now where people build people up just to see them fail. As records are made to be broken, heroes are made to fall. Love turns into jealousy.”

Cushing on the Web:

USC Profile

Stats and personal info from his college career

Wikipedia page

Information and links to other articles on Cushing

Sports Illustrated Feature Story

Describes Cushing’s toughness, willingness to play through pain

NFL Draft Scout Profile

Stats and measurables

NY Daily News Feature Story

Describes how the NY-area native turned down Penn State and Joe Paterno

YouTube video of Cushing’s 2008 highlights

Vontae Davis wants to be known as more than just Vernon Davis’ little brother.

And understandably so. After all, Vernon’s most noteworthy action of the 2008 NFL season was when the San Francisco 49ers tight end was banished to the locker room in the middle of a game by Head Coach Mike Singletary for demonstrating less than team-oriented behavior.

But when it comes to some comparisons, he’ll gladly take them. Like when his physical skills are compared to Vernon’s eye-popping athleticism and top-flight talent. Vontae says he owes a lot to Vernon, that his big brother helped him out in developing into the football player he has become – a football player poised to become a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Davis, an early-entry prospect out of the University of Illinois, is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. The 6-0, 200-pounder possesses incredible athleticism, capable of both running with the league’s fastest receivers and coming up to the line of scrimmage both in run support and on corner blitzes. In three years with the Illini, Davis earned the reputation of one of the nation’s hardest-hitting defensive backs.

Davis did not have the type of year he had hoped to in 2008, but much of that can be attributed to the across-the-board struggles that the Fighting Illini defense suffered from last season. Many teams chose to completely avoid throwing Davis’ way for fear of his playmaking ability, and he finished the season with a statline of 78 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He had a career-high 4 picks in 2007, the same season in which he recorded 13 tackles in a Rose Bowl loss to the University of Southern California.

He also played the role of recruiter during his time in Illinois. He convinced his Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.) teammate Arrelious Benn, a dynamic playmaking wide receiver – and potential future NFL draft prospect – to join him in Champaign.

Vontae’s own reason for choosing Illinois came in part because he didn’t want to follow in Vernon’s footsteps by attending the nearby University of Maryland. He wanted to be known for his own accomplishments, not his brother’s.

There is a good chance Vontae is feeling the same thing now. Supposedly, NFL teams have reservations about drafting him because of character questions, meaning that they don’t want to invest in a player as emotionally volatile as his big brother Vernon. Coaches can’t afford undisciplined players at the cornerback position, and Vontae’s own benching by Illinois coach Ron Zook in 2008 has raised questions about his coachability. Recent rumors that Vontae tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine are not doing anything to ease teams’ concerns, either.

However, the positive comparisons to Vernon will likely have the biggest effect on Vontae’s draft status – after all, talent is king in today’s NFL. And if Vontae can develop into the shutdown cornerback he’s capable of becoming, then it might be Vernon Davis who will have something to prove: that he’s more than just Vontae Davis’ big brother.

Latest on Davis:

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. says Davis will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins, while colleague Todd McShay says he will be taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the no. 26 pick

Approximately 20 teams held interviews with Davis at the scouting combine

A comparison of Davis to Ohio State cornerback prospect Malcolm Jenkins

Vontae Says:

On comparing himself to the Oakland Raiders’ cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha:

“In the long run, when it all gets said and done, I’ll be in Nnamdi’s shoes.”

On his older brother Vernon Davis:

“He’s my older brother so he’d always think he could bully me and do all this. But I respect that because I look up to him. He pushed me a lot through high school. He did things that made me be a better player. He woke me up at 5 o’clock in the morning to go throw the ball, and it helped.”

On potentially being selected by the Miami Dolphins:

“I like the coaching staff and who could ask for a better place to play than Miami.”

Davis on the Web:

Wikipedia page

Stats and info

Illinois profile

Complete statistics and highlights from his college career

ESPN profile

Stats and info

Scouting report

Includes combine numbers, strengths and weaknesses

Washington Post feature

Vontae dishes on his ability, relationship with big brother Vernon

YouTube clip of Vontae Davis’ 2008 highlights

B.J. Raji has never had much trouble with offensive linemen, quarterbacks, or even running backs. It’s those associate deans he’s had to watch out for.

Prior to his 2007 season at Boston College, he was assured by an associate dean that he only had to complete two summer courses to be academically eligible to play that season.

Unfortunately, he actually needed three — which meant that Raji would be academically ineligible for the 2007 season.

Raji was devastated when told the news by then-BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski. But instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for himself, he went to work: dominating for the Eagles’ scout team and hitting the gym hard every day.

Then, back on the field in 2008, he took all the frustration out on his opponents, exploding for 42 tackles and seven sacks from his defensive tackle position.

Given how well everything has ended up working out for Raji, it must be hard for him to stay mad at the associate dean who contributed to his missing the 2007 season. Raji currently stands poised to become a top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft, with a very good shot at going in the top 5.

Raji finds himself in such high demand because of the 6-2, 340-pounder’s ability to plug up holes in the running game and wreak havoc on quarterbacks in the passing game. He has emerged as the best prospect among all defensive tackles, a position that seems to always be increasing in value in the minds of NFL coaches and executives. Albert Haynesworth, considered one of the league’s best players at the position, just signed a seven-year, $100 million contract this offseason with the Washington Redskins. Many scouts and NFL general managers see Raji as a player who could potentially impact the game the same way Haynesworth and other dominant defensive tackles do.

Teams do have a few reservations about selecting Raji high in the first round, including is his weight. When Jagodzinski first arrived at the Eagles’ coach in 2007, he made it his number one priority to see to it that Raji trimmed down his size so that his quickness would not be bogged down. Teams don’t want to see the big man tipping the scales past the 340 mark. Also, concerns have been raised concerning Raji’s character because of his academic issues in 2007.

There is little concern, however about Raji’s on-the-field performance in 2008. Raji and fellow defensive tackle prospect Ron Brace formed a fearsome combination in the middle of the Eagles’ defense. Their presence was so formidable that many teams entered into games against BC without any plans to run the football whatsoever, because they were so intimidated by the hulking, disruptive defensive linemen.

Becoming the same kind of impact player in the NFL shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Raji. And offensive linemen, running backs and quarterbacks should all be put on notice.

At least in the NFL, Raji won’t have to worry about any of those pesky deans.

Latest on Raji

The Detroit Lions, owners of the draft’s top overall pick, have reportedly met with Raji privately.

ESPN analysts Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay are split on where they think Raji will go in the draft, but both have him being selected within the top 5 picks.

Raji on the Web

NFL Draft Scout Profile: Stats and measurables

Boston College Profile: Personal info and statistics from Raji’s Boston College career

ESPN.com Profile: Stats on Raji

Q&A With Niner Nation blog: Raji dishes on his BC career, draft prospects

Midseason Feature by the Boston Globe: Discusses Raji’s rising draft stock

SI.com Feature: This midseason article details Raji’s comeback from lost season in 2007

Raji Says

On being ineligible during the 2007 season:

“All I wanted was to play on Saturdays. It hurt not to be out there.”

On switching full time from basketball to football in high school:

“I guess reality struck when I stopped growing. I wasn’t going to be Allen Iverson.”

On why a team should pick him:

“The reason a GM should pick me is because I believe that I can have an immediate impact on a defense and along with that I will put the teams before me.”