Cushing Thinks He's Best of Historic Trio

NEW YORK -- It's not everyday you see three players from the same school taken in the first round of the NFL draft. Three linebackers? That's unprecedented territory.

The magnitude of the occasion isn't lost on Brian Cushing, who should be one of three rough-and-ready USC linebackers selected in the first round on Saturday. But that doesn't mean he's ready to concede a higher draft slot to former teammates Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews.

When we talked to Cushing at the NCAA Football 10 premiere party and asked him to give us a thumbnail scouting report of himself, Maualuga and Matthews, his opinion was terse and crystal clear: "[Maualuga] is real physical, real strong. [Matthews] is real fast, real athletic. And I'm a combination of both of them."

Cushing, projected in recent mocks to be the first of the three chosen, is soaking in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "It's wild. Just the fact that it may actually happen is really special. All of us came in and developed underneath each other, which really helped our game. And here we are, right before the draft, and we all might go in the first round."

Sports Illustrated even gave the USC core a draft preview cover spot that oozes with machismo.

"Yeah, it's a little out there," Cushing said of the SI cover. "It's just a competitive thing, we all want each other to do the best as possible. I gotta go first in the draft before them, though. And I hope they're right after me."

When asked what current or former NFL star he idolized, Cushing said he was a very big Ken Norton fan growing up, adding that it was a "very special opportunity to play for him at USC."

No matter how the draft turns out, these days will be savored by Cushing, who's a New Jersey native returning to the tri-state area. "If I couldn't play as USC in NCAA Football 10, I'd probably go with some hometown pride in Rutgers. There's a lot of talent in Jersey and people are just starting to realize it."

NCAA Football 10 Photos

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree hauls in a long reception. Crabtree is the cover athlete for the Xbox 360 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports. Click through to see more photos from gameplay.

EA Sports

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree burns past the Longhorns' defense. Crabtree is the cover athlete for the Xbox 360 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

USC quarterback Brian Sanchez looks for an open receiver. Sanchez is the cover athlete for the PSP version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

USC quarterback Brian Sanchez scrambles out of the pocket. Sanchez is the cover athlete for the PSP version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo gets set to rush the quarterback. Orakpo is the cover athlete for the PS2 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo pummels the quarterback. Orakpo is the cover athlete for the PS2 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson lines up behind the line of scrimmage. Johnson is the cover athlete for the PS3 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson makes a pass attempt against TCU. Johnson is the cover athlete for the PS3 version of NCAA Football 10 from EA Sports.

EA Sports