Tustin, Los Alamitos programs stand out in NFL draft

Only seven high schools in the nation produced two players taken in last month’s NFL draft.

And of these seven, only Tustin and Los Alamitos also produced first-round selections – USC tackle Sam Baker from Tustin, who was picked by the Atlanta Falcons, and California cornerback Antoine Cason from Los Alamitos, who was picked by the San Diego Chargers.

The other schools that produced two players were Shreveport (La.) Evangel Academy, the alma mater of USC quarterback John David Booty, a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings; Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville; Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland; Tyler (Texas) Robert E. Lee, and West Palm Beach (Fla.) Suncoast Community.

A total of 245 high schools in 42 states and the District of Columbia contributed to the 252 players selected in the seven rounds, USA Football announced Thursday.

California led all states with 34 players drafted, followed by Florida with 25 and Texas with 24. No other state had more than 13.

Southland players in NFL’s 2008 draft

Player (Position), NFL team (Round), college, high school

Sam Baker (T), Atlanta (1),USC,Tustin

Beau Bell (LB), Cleveland (4), Nevada Las Vegas,Tustin

Colt Brennan (QB), Washington (6), Hawaii, Mater Dei

Antoine Cason (DB), San Diego (1), Arizona, Los Alamitos

Ryan Clady (T), Denver (1), Boise State, Rialto

Oniel Cousins (T), Baltimore (3), Texas-El Paso, Eastside Christian

Sedrick Ellis (DT), New Orleans (1), USC, Chino

DeSean Jackson (WR), Philadelphia (2), California, Long Beach Poly

Lawrence Jackson (DT), Seattle (1), USC, Inglewood

Joey LaRocque (LB), Chicago (7), Oregon State, Agoura

Chilo Rachal (G), San Francisco (2), USC, Dominguez

Orlando Scandrick (DB), Dallas (5), Boise State, Los Alamitos

Geoff Schwartz (T), Carolina (7), Oregon, Palisades

Jason Shirley (DT), Cincinnati (5), Fresno State, Kaiser

Matt Slater (WR), New England (5), UCLA, Servite

Craig Stevens (TE), Tennessee (3), California, Peninsula

Terrell Thomas (DB), New York Giants (2), USC, Rancho Cucamonga

Justin Tryon (DB), Washington (4), Arizona State, Taft

Chauncey Washington (RB), Jacksonville (7), USC, South Torrance