Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu returns the ball after intercepting a pass against the New England Patriots on Nov. 30. Polamalu was a three-year starter at USC and was selected 16th overall in the 2003 NFL draft. (Stephan Savoia / Associated Press)
Former USC football players who are playing in the NFL.
Cary Harris, selected 183rd overall in the 2009 NFL draft, was the 13th USC player to be drafted by the Buffalo Bills. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers safety Kevin Ellison speaks at a news conference after training camp on July 31. Ellison was a sixth-round draft selection. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing sprays himself with water during a training camp session on Aug. 3. Cushing was selected 15th overall in the 2009 NFL draft. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu autographs a jersey following an training camp session on Aug. 20. Tatupu started 25 games for the Trojans before being selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
Mike Patterson, an All-American at USC, takes a water break during a Philadelphia Eagles training camp session on Aug. 1, 2005, during his rookie season. Patterson was selected 31st overall in the NFL draft that spring. (Coke Whitworth / Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Lawrence Jackson started 14 of 16 games last season after he was selected 28th overall in the 2008 NFL draft. (Scott Boehm / Getty Images)
Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis takes part in drills during a team practice session on July 30, 2008. Ellis was selected seventh overall in the 2008 NFL draft. (Chuck Cook / Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush rushes past Houston Texans’ Brice McCain during a joint training camp session on Aug. 20. Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 before being selected No. 2 overall in the 2006 NFL draft. (Dave Einsel / Associated Press)
Dallas Cowboys kicker David Buehler practices during a training camp session on Aug. 10. Buehler, a fifth-round selection in last spring’s NFL draft, connected on nine of 13 field-goal attempts and 65 of 66 extra-point attempts for the Trojans in 2008. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)
Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White runs past San Diego Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper during a game on Jan. 6, 2008. White was selected 45th overall in the 2006 NFL draft. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback John David Booty drops back to pass during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 21. Booty, who was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft, served as Matt Leinart‘s backup for three years before leading the Trojans to victory over Illinois in the 2007 Rose Bowl. (Scott Boehm / Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart throws a pass during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 13. Leinart won the Heisman Trophy in 2004 before leading the Trojans to a BCS national championship later that season. He was selected 10th overall by the Cardinals in the 2006 NFL draft. (Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell scrambles during a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 21. Cassell served as a backup to quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart but impressed NFL coaches and scouts during workouts before the 2005 NFL draft, during which the New England Patriots selected him in the seventh round. (Scott Boehm / Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 14. Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002 and was the first overall pick of the 2003 NFL draft. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Keary Colbert catches a pass during a training camp session on Aug. 6. Colbert caught at least one pass in his final 36 games at USC and was selected 62nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers guard Chilo Rachal, right, blocks Dallas Cowboys’ Igor Olshansky as quarterback Shaun Hill passes during a preseason game on Aug. 29. Rachal was a first team All-Pac-10 selection in 2007. (Larry W. Smith / EPA)
Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Ryan Kalil was drafted 59th overall in the 2007 NFL draft. Kalil, a two-time All-Pac 10 selection, started at center in 12 games last season. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)