It’s a Professional Atmosphere

USC has moved on and gone through two weeks of spring practice without them, but football fans can still get one last look at Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and other NFL-bound Trojans today during USC’s annual pro day.

Nineteen players, including Bush, Leinart, running back LenDale White, offensive tackle Winston Justice and safety Darnell Bing, will be evaluated by several hundred NFL scouts, coaches, player personnel executives and perhaps a few owners in preparation for the April 29 draft.

The Houston Texans, who own the first pick in the draft, requested 10 credentials to the workout.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said he told former players to prepare for testing as if it were a game.

“It’s the biggest day ever for running the 40-yard dash for a lot of guys,” Carroll said.

Much of the testing, including the strength workout and 40-yard dash, will be done on Cromwell Field, the campus track stadium, starting after 11 a.m.

The public can view the testing from the bleachers. A professional timing service is expected to be on hand and will post results.

Individual workouts, such as Leinart’s, will be conducted at Howard Jones Field and will be closed to the public.

Adding another layer to what is certain to be an interesting scene: Carroll has designated Sunday as “junior day,” when high school prospects and their families will tour the campus.

“As much as anything it makes it a fun day here; the more activity the more memorable it will be,” Carroll said.

Carroll spent part of USC’s preparation for the Rose Bowl presenting a seminar to educate his players about the pros and cons of leaving for the NFL draft before exhausting their eligibility.

Bush, White, Justice, Bing and offensive lineman Fred Matua decided to turn pro with a year of eligibility remaining.

Carroll said he was not concerned about exposing potential prospects to pro day and did not believe it would make them more inclined to follow the lead of the undergraduates who left early and will be tested today.

“They need to know what’s going on,” Carroll said. “They need to understand what’s happening.

“It’s reality. I don’t hide it from them. This exposure isn’t going to make them more valuable to the NFL. It’s going to make them more aware of what to expect. I don’t want to screen them from information. I want to fill them up as much as I can so they can make good decisions along the way.”

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Mark Sanchez completed 13 of 28 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions during a mock game at the Coliseum on Saturday night.... Michael McDonald was 12 of 16 for 167 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.