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Seven Trojans Taken In First Day Of NFL Draft
It's the most USC players selected in draft's first three rounds.

Matt Leinart, quarterback from USC, stands with a jersey after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the 10th overall selection during the first round of the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)

April 29, 2006

Seven Trojans were selected in the first three rounds on Saturday's (April 29) initial day of the two-day NFL draft. That's the most USC players ever selected in the draft's first three rounds. It's also tied with Ohio State for the most players from one school picked on Saturday.

Troy's most recent Heisman Trophy winners were both first rounders. Tailback Reggie Bush was the second pick of the draft, going to the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Matt Leinart was picked 10th by the Arizona Cardinals.

Three Trojans were clustered within seven picks of each other in the second round. First, offensive tackle Winston Justice went to the Philadelphia Eagles (39th pick), then offensive guard Taitusi Lutui went to his hometown Cardinals (41st pick) and tailback LenDale White went to the Tennessee Titans (45th pick).

In the third round, defensive end Frostee Rucker was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals (91st pick) and tight end Dominique Byrd was drafted two slots later by the St. Louis Rams (93rd pick).

Rounds four through seven will be held on Sunday (April 30). Among the Trojans still looking to be drafted then are safety Darnell Bing, offensive guard Fred Matua, safety Scott Ware, cornerback Justin Wyatt, punter Tom Malone and fullback David Kirtman.

It's already the most Trojans selected in an NFL draft since 1991, when eight were picked in a then-expanded draft. The most players USC ever has had drafted in a year was 15 in 1953.