USC Having Big Day on the Big Board

Carson Palmer wanted Cincinnati to draft Sedrick Ellis with their #9 overall pick in this weekend's NFL draft, but Ellis was already taken at #7 by New Orleans. Instead, Palmer was excited to get another Trojan: Keith Rivers.

From Rivers' blog on Yardbarker.com:

This is an absolutely surreal experience. I am numb right now. I'm not sure what to do -- jump up and down or cry -- I'm just so excited about being a Cincinnati Bengal. Coach Marvin Lewis made the call. When my phone rang it was an unknown number and I had some friends calling before that so I wasn't sure if I should answer it. I was thrilled to get the call. My agent called after that and told me Carson Palmer was jumping up and down. I will be too - I'm a Cincinnati Bengal!

Sam Baker was taken 21st overall by Atlanta, and Lawrence Jackson went 28th to Seattle. It's still very early, and plenty of other Trojans will have their name called in the next day and a half. We'll keep you posted ...

Second Round Update: San Francisco, with the 8th pick in the second round (38th overall) selected Chilo Rachal, the only Trojan who went pro early this year. Fred Davis went to Washington at 17th in the second (48th overall). On the last pick of Day 1 (32nd pick of the second round, 63rd overall) the New York Giants chose Terrell Thomas.