University Southern California Trojans
Five Trojans Taken in NFL Draft
June 21, 1999 | Football
April 19, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Five Trojans were selected in the 1999 NFL Draft held Saturday and Sunday (April 17 and 18), highlighted by the Detroit Lions' selection of USC junior linebacker Chris Claiborne with the ninth overall pick.
Joining Claiborne in the two-day draft were senior cornerback Daylon McCutcheon (Cleveland Browns, third round, 62nd overall), senior wide receiver Larry Parker (Kansas City Chiefs, fourth round, 108th overall), senior safety Rashard Cook (Chicago Bears, sixth round, 184th overall) and senior wide receiver Billy Miller (Denver Broncos, seventh round, 218th overall). As of Monday (April 19), the only Trojan who signed as a free agent was senior offensive tackle Rome Douglas, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Claiborne's selection marks the sixth time in the last seven years that a Trojan was taken among the first nine picks of the draft. Curtis Conway was the seventh pick in 1993 (Chicago), Willie McGinest was fourth in 1994 (New England), Tony Boselli was second in 1995 (Jacksonville), Keyshawn Johnson was first in 1996 (New York Jets) and Darrell Russell was second in 1997 (Oakland). The five Trojans taken were the most since six USC players were selected in 1996.
The fact that Claiborne, the 1998 Butkus Award winner, was still available when the Lions selected elated Detroit Coach Bobby Ross.
"I didn't expect him to slide to No. 9," Ross said. "We had him rated No. 1 on our board, ahead of the quarterbacks. That's the first time that's happened to me. It was exciting in the war room. It was like winning a game."
Claiborne, a middle linebacker for the Trojans, is expected to play weakside linebacker at the start of his pro career.
"That means he'll be coming from the open side most of the time," Ross said. "Coaches are always looking for production. This is one of the most productive players I've ever been around or seen on film. What goes with it is his talent. That's the nice thing about it. He has great range. He can cover a back out of the backfield. I think we get a complete package."
Said Claiborne: "I get to show some more skills now. Now I get to run around and make plays from the outside. I'm excited about the chance. I've got a lot more room to roam out there."
McCutcheon, a four-year starter with the Trojans, was taken with the first pick of the third round by the expansion Browns. He has been projected as a cover corner, a special teams player and someone to be used in nickel packages.
"He's a guy that started the last 39 games at Southern California. We consider him a cover guy. He's got good speed. He's a little undersized at 5-8, but if he can play on the field at Southern California against the competition they play, then we think there is a lot of upside to that," Cleveland Coach Chris Palmer said. "He's a kickoff return guy, played receiver and also played some running back. Again, a versatile player that we think can come in to help us.
"He starts off at one the backup spots at corner. He's a guy that can go inside and play in the nickel situations, and he does give us more speed and I'm really pleased with that. He's got good cover ability and he will get a chance to compete. One thing I do like about him is that he's been durable. He hasn't been nicked up."
Said McCutcheon: "I know coming in as a rookie that I'm going to have to prove myself, so I've got to take one step at a time. They seem like they are real excited to have me, so I'm just going to come in and maybe it will start with a nickel spot. I've always been a guy that's been on the field, so I'm expected to end up on the field. You've got to just ease your way in and at some point, I will be a starter.
"I did get a little frustrated (lasting until the third round) after looking at some of these players, and you kind of wonder why they are going ahead of you. But everything happens for a reason and I'm just happy that the Cleveland organization feels comfortable with me and feels that I can contribute to this team."
Parker, who led the Trojans with an average of 20.0 yards per reception in 1998, was the 13th pick of the fourth round and was the only receiver picked by the Chiefs.
Said Kansas City Director of Player Personnel Terry Bradway: "Larry Parker is a big speed receiver. He worked in a rotating system out there and that was a pretty good group of receivers. Larry is a down-the-field receiver. He's got size and speed. He's a guy who can push it up the field and gives us a vertical threat as a receiver. He's also big and strong enough to catch the ball inside."
Said Chiefs Coach Gunther Cunningham on his first draft: "One of my priorities was to challenge the coaches a little bit. I know when it came to picking Larry Parker, a couple of them really stood up on the table and believed that that's the kind of guy we should have."
Cook was the 15th pick of the sixth round and will get a chance to compete for a spot on a team that is in need of secondary depth.
Said Chicago Vice President of Player Personnel Mark Hatley: "Rashard Cook was very productive at USC. The coaches at USC didn't have anything but good things to say about him. He is very bright and can play either strong or free safety. He ran their defense this past year and we felt he has a good upside."
Rounding out the Trojans' selections was Miller, USC's leading receiver in 1998. The Broncos took Miller with the 12th pick of the seventh round and was the 11th of Denver's 12 picks. He was one of three receivers taken by Denver.
Claiborne was the first Trojan taken by the Lions since wide receiver Johnnie Morton (first round) in 1994. McCutcheon was the first Trojan selected by the Browns since tight end Scott Galbraith (seventh round) in 1990. Parker was the first USC player drafted by the Chiefs since Brad Budde (first round) in 1980. Cook was the first Trojan picked by the Bears since John Allred (second round) in 1997 and Miller was the first USC player drafted by the Broncos since Don Gibson (ninth round) in 1991.
Fun Fact: For only the fourth time since 1971, more than one USC receiver was drafted. The last time was in 1993 when Curtis Conway and Travis Hannah were selected. The last time before that was in 1977 with Shelton Diggs and Kenny Randle. The 1971 receiver class included Sam Dickerson, Herman Franklin and Bob Chandler. Overall, nine USC receivers have been selected in the 1990s: Gary Wellman, Conway, Hannah, Johnnie Morton, Edward Hervey, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Miller, Larry Parker and Billy Miller.
