USC’s Rivers, Washington stand out

Dozens of NFL scouts converged on USC today for the school’s pro day, an opportunity for draft prospects to showcase their skills.

It was a big day for linebacker Keith Rivers, a potential top-10 pick who was particularly impressive in the vertical leap and 40-yard dash. He ran the 40 in an announced 4.51 seconds – although the results of scouts varied – and actually reached higher than the top end of the vertical-leap pole. His leap was measured at a remarkable 42 1/2 inches.

Any concerns teams might have had about the speed of running back Chauncey Washington were probably put to rest with his 4.35 in the 40, the fastest time of the day. NFLDraftScout.com projects Washington as a seventh-round pick or free agent.

Defensive end Lawrence Jackson increased his vertical leap by 3 1/2 inches from his 31-inch effort at the scouting combine. He is among five Trojans who realistically could be picked in the first round, along with Rivers, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, tackle Sam Baker, and tight end Fred Davis.

Scouts from the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins put Jackson through linebacker drills, seeing him as a possible fit in their 3-4 schemes.

“I’d love to be taken in the first round, obviously,” Jackson said. “But being drafted in the first round doesn’t say you’re going to be a great football player. I just want to make sure I play football for a long time at a high level, regardless of what round.”