04/03 — It’s a leap they won’t soon forget at the University of Southern California. After a solid number with his first jump at Southern Cal's pro day Wednesday, Keith Rivers nearly jumped through the ceiling with a 42-inch vertical.

"I just dug in deep and jumped," Rivers said. "I pretended I was dunking a basketball."

Former Jets head coach Pete Carroll, who has built quite the football factory at SC, had a few of his current players on hand to watch the Trojans' prospects.

“We want them to see what it’s like and learn from the experience, so they’ll be ready when their time comes but also to add the energy to the room,” he told NFL Network. “Keith hit about 38, and then he went for that second jump and almost hit the ceiling with his head and everybody exploded for him.”

The 6’3”, 235-pound Rivers could be the first linebacker selected in the 2008 NFL Draft. Penn State 'backer Dan Connor will also likely be a first-round pick, but Rivers may have vaulted past him with an impressive showing that included a 4.51 time in the 40-yard dash.

Rivers, who received All-America and All-Pac 10 first-team honors, will most likely line up on the outside in a 4-3 at the next level and may go as high as No. 10 to the Saints.

Not to be overshadowed, though, was a slimmed-down Sedrick Ellis. After weighing 309 pounds at the Indy combine, the defensive tackle dropped 11 pounds and improved all his measurables. He chopped his 40 time from 5.25 to 5.01, jumped 30 inches and had 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench.

“My trainer had me on chicken breast and broccoli for about three weeks, so I haven’t eaten any bread or anything like that,” he told NFL Network draft analysts Mike Mayock and Charles Davis. “I’ve just been dieting, so I can't wait to go and get some fast food.”

Ellis has the ability to become a 3-4 end but might be a little light for the nose. Most people think he’ll play the 3-technique in a 4-3 front. Last season he racked up 8.5 sacks and 12.5 stops for losses, totaled seven PDs and recovered two fumbles. He was absolutely dominant during Senior Bowl practices and may leap over LSU DT Glenn Dorsey on some draft boards.

“I’ve heard anywhere from No. 2 to No. 10. Everyone knows how the draft goes — it’s kind of unpredictable,” Ellis said. “Right now I’m not trying to project anything or get my hopes up. I’m just going to wait it out and see what happens and just be thankful for what I get.”

If Ellis moves into the top five, that could make things even more interesting for the Green & White at six. The possibilities are seemingly endless at the moment and we continue to welcome your predictions.

While QB John David Booty is not going to be a first-day pick (remember, Day One is just two rounds this year), he reportedly was sharp in throwing about 80 passes.

"Throwing is what I've done my whole life," Booty said. "There's no nervousness to me. I threw the deep balls to both sides. I also threw the speed out-routes. Those were the two things I needed to show."

Also on the offensive side, RB Chauncey Washington raised more than a few eyebrows with a sub-4.35 40. The 6’0”, 211-pound Washington, who suffered from paralysis for more than a week when he was 9 before it vanished and struggled with the books in the Land of Troy, rushed for 969 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

“Those two times he ran, he was flying down the track,” Carroll said. “Some of the scouts had him at 4.35, so that’s a fantastic showing for Chauncey. He looked incredibly fit and buffed up and the whole thing.”

Fred Davis was said to have had a solid workout and the recent Mackey Award winner is coming off a 62-catch, eight-TD campaign. While there were a number of other performers, nobody would outshine Rivers or Ellis in the California sun.