Eric the Red
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Bing makes it 5 to declare for draft
By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer
Inside SOCAL
As expected, USC safety Darnell Bing announced Sunday he would make himself available for the NFL Draft.
Bing, who is projected by the NFL to be a second- or third-round draft pick, was the final Trojan to make his decision. As previously reported, offensive tackle Winston Justice submitted his paperwork to the NFL on Friday, and offensive guard Fred Matua announced Saturday he would turn pro.
Earlier in the week, tailbacks LenDale White and Reggie Bush also turned pro. Of the six juniors who considered turning pro, only wide receiver Steve Smith elected to return for his senior season.
It's a blow to USC coach Pete Carroll, who held a seminar for underclassmen last month in an effort to keep players from leaving early.
Justice and Bing will hold a news conference at USC today to officially announce their decision. Justice is projected by the NFL as going anywhere from 10th to 20th in the first round; Matua never sought an NFL evaluation.
According to sources, a factor in Bing's decision was the fear that he would get injured if he played next season. Bing was advised by Carroll's friend, NFL analyst Pat Kirwan, that only one safety usually gets selected in the first round, but ultimately it did not sway him to remain in school.
A highly touted high school player, Bing got USC athletic director Mike Garrett to unretire his No. 20 jersey. Bing was inconsistent during his three seasons but recorded 41 tackles and intercepted four passes this season while being named an Associated Press All-American.
Technically, players have until Wednesday to change their mind, when the NFL officially announces which underclassmen made themselves available for the draft.
Packers want Ruel: USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel was contacted by new Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy about joining the staff, but Ruel said he planned to remain at USC.
"I'm going to take the same advice I gave the players who wanted to turn pro," Ruel said. "I'm going to maximize my potential and stay at USC."
Ruel worked in Green Bay for two seasons (2001-2002), when new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was the tight ends coach.
"The NFL is always entertaining to me, but when you think about the great players and the great guy I work for, you don't go," Ruel said. "There's always people I know that would like me to come back, but I'm happy at USC. I want to put people in the NFL; I just don't want them to leave early."
Ruel did not rule out the possibility of ever returning to the NFL, but said this was not the right time.
Meanwhile, USC quarterback Matt Leinart hired Leigh Steinberg to be his agent.
By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer
Inside SOCAL
As expected, USC safety Darnell Bing announced Sunday he would make himself available for the NFL Draft.
Bing, who is projected by the NFL to be a second- or third-round draft pick, was the final Trojan to make his decision. As previously reported, offensive tackle Winston Justice submitted his paperwork to the NFL on Friday, and offensive guard Fred Matua announced Saturday he would turn pro.
Earlier in the week, tailbacks LenDale White and Reggie Bush also turned pro. Of the six juniors who considered turning pro, only wide receiver Steve Smith elected to return for his senior season.
It's a blow to USC coach Pete Carroll, who held a seminar for underclassmen last month in an effort to keep players from leaving early.
Justice and Bing will hold a news conference at USC today to officially announce their decision. Justice is projected by the NFL as going anywhere from 10th to 20th in the first round; Matua never sought an NFL evaluation.
According to sources, a factor in Bing's decision was the fear that he would get injured if he played next season. Bing was advised by Carroll's friend, NFL analyst Pat Kirwan, that only one safety usually gets selected in the first round, but ultimately it did not sway him to remain in school.
A highly touted high school player, Bing got USC athletic director Mike Garrett to unretire his No. 20 jersey. Bing was inconsistent during his three seasons but recorded 41 tackles and intercepted four passes this season while being named an Associated Press All-American.
Technically, players have until Wednesday to change their mind, when the NFL officially announces which underclassmen made themselves available for the draft.
Packers want Ruel: USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel was contacted by new Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy about joining the staff, but Ruel said he planned to remain at USC.
"I'm going to take the same advice I gave the players who wanted to turn pro," Ruel said. "I'm going to maximize my potential and stay at USC."
Ruel worked in Green Bay for two seasons (2001-2002), when new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was the tight ends coach.
"The NFL is always entertaining to me, but when you think about the great players and the great guy I work for, you don't go," Ruel said. "There's always people I know that would like me to come back, but I'm happy at USC. I want to put people in the NFL; I just don't want them to leave early."
Ruel did not rule out the possibility of ever returning to the NFL, but said this was not the right time.
Meanwhile, USC quarterback Matt Leinart hired Leigh Steinberg to be his agent.