January 4th, 2006 will be a day in which more NFL talent will be on display at anytime except for maybe the "all-star" and senior games at the end of the season and the NFL combine in February.  The two most talented, deep, and experienced rosters will be on display in Pasedena in the "Granddaddy of Them All," as Texas and USC square off in a game that has been as anticipated as any in recent memory.  As many as 15-20 potential first round draft picks will be suiting up in either burnt orange and white or scarlet and gold, and it is sure to be a game for the ages.

     The mini-combine will be headlined by the starting quarterbacks for each team, with Matt Leinart showcasing his wares against those of Vince Young.  The two could not have more different approaches to game both on and off the field.  Leinart, the field general for the last three years, is mature beyond his years, has prototypical size and "dropback" quarterback skills, and an easy-going demeanor that is infectious amongst his teammates.  He lets no situation frazzle him and is considered by many to be the second coming of Peyton Manning; a long-time starter with an impeccable resume and both the physical and intangible skills that make GMs drool.  Young on the other hand comes out of the new, mobile, versatile QB mold, one that has its roots in Fran Tarkenton, goes down towards Randall Cunningham, and is now made popular by Mike Vick.  Young is bigger than Leinart (6'5" 235), has a stronger arm, and runs like a gazelle in the open field.  His decision making and accuracy have improved exponentially since he was thrust into the lineup two years ago in relief of Chance Mock.  Since then, Young has grown into a legend, with a fiery competitive streak and leadership capability that is unmatched.  Heck, Mack Brown listens to Jay-Z before games now on Young's IPOD.  Both will be top-5 picks.  In regard to the backups, while Texas is thin on depth and Matt Nordgren will likely continue his football career in the Arena Football League (joining Mock), USC is now a breeding ground for QBs.  Both John David Booty and Mark Sanchez will be high round picks, with Sanchez having the most upside.  This depth could be even better had Rocky Hinds stayed on campus instead of transferring to UNLV.

     In regard to the rest of the backfield, both Lendale White and Reggie Bush are locks for the first round, as the much heralded Bush will likely be the top pick in the draft in April, while White, if he chooses to leave, might be the 2nd best RB prospect behind Bush.  Hershel Dennis, Brandon Hancock, and David Kirtman are also supremely talented, and Hancock reminds some of Najeh Davenport; a college FB who could excel as a NFL RB in a single back offense.  The Longhorns are not short on pro-talent either, with the much maligned and oft injured Selvin Young, the young studs in Jamal Charles and Henry Melton, and the poor-man's Bush in Ramonce Taylor.  Young, who once was considered more talented than 2005 #4 overall pick Cedric Benson and almost unseated him as the starter, has suffered through a rash of lower body injuries over the last 15 months.  However, he has a compelling size/speed combination that will be enticing to almost any NFL team (think Frank Gore).  Meanwhile, Charles has great size, elite speed (HS state hurdles champion), and has shown that he is always good for a big play.  He will be a first round pick in 2-3 years, adding bulk to his lanky frame in the meantime.  Melton reminds many of former Texas A&M RB Jamaar Tombs, but even at 6'3" 275 lbs, Melton is quick on his feet and has shown a great burst to the hole.  Finally, Taylor is the fastest player on the Texas roster and runs like Barry Sanders, with a couple runs for loss then a big 25 yard burst.  Having seen time at KR, PR, RB, and WR, Taylor is probably at the same position in his development that  Bush was at this time last year.

     Both teams have big WRs that exude pro talent, in UT's Limas Sweed (Roy Williams clone, 6'5", 225lbs) and USC's Dewayne Jarrett (Mike Williams clone, 6'5" 215lbs).  Both have shown the ability to make the big play, however Jarrett is much more consistent and at this point in his career, more of a threat.  Both teams also have similar complementary receivers in Texas's Billy Pittman, who has provided most of the passing game's big plays and production this season and USC's Steve Smith, who is constantly forgotten while producing at a high level, similar to that of Keary Colbert.  Both have big time speed and hands and will be playing on Sundays at some point in time.  Add in the backups (Texas's Quan Cosby, Nate Jones, and Taylor and USC's Whitney Lewis, Patrick Turner, and Chris McFoy) and you can see why this position might be the deepest for both teams.

     Both O-lines for the teams have big time talent, as evidenced by the bookend tackles of Justin Blaylock and Jonathan Scott of Texas and the similar bookends of Winston Justice and Sam Baker of USC.  All 4 will be on an NFL roster, with all four most likely being first day picks.  Will Allen has stepped up his game dramatically this season and will be a 2006 pick while Fred Matua and Taitusi Lutui will be NFL players at guard.  Factor in one day starters Jeff Byers for USC and Cedrick Dockery for Texas, and the future is bright all along both offensive fronts.  Meanwhile, David Thomas of Texas, who was a Mackey award semi-finalist for the nation's best tight end and USC's Dominick Byrd form quite a receiving TE duo in the game.  Byrd has been quiet most of this season, but has compelling size and immaculate hands and some team will get lucky, as he will fall in the draft because of his off the field incidents and lack of production this season.  He is still supremely talented.  Thomas on the other hand, has been a consistent threat in the passing game since his freshman season, and his blocking has improved dramatically as well.  He will be one of the top-5 TEs off the board in April.  One time WR, Fred Davis, who's game reminds some of Marcedes Lewis, will be a future star at USC and an NFL player as well.

     UT's defensive ends are elite athletes who could probably play LB now, and in fact, Bryan Robison did at one point in his career at UT.  Tim Crowder, Robison's DE mate, is UT's biggest pash rushing threat who has put on lots of good weight and is now an anchor against the run as well.  His size and potential alone warrant a first day pick.  Bryan Orakpo, the redshirt freshman backup, looks to follow in the tradition of UT DEs, as though small right now, has incredible burst and is surprisingly stout against the run even though he only weighs 235 lbs dripping wet.  For USC, Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker have done a great job of providing the same consistency from the DE position that Kenechi Udeze and Shaun Cody did for so many seasons in Los Angeles.  Rucker as great burst and has unlimited potential.  DT is a weakness for USC, but at UT, it is year in and year out, one of its strongest positions.  Carrying on the tradition of great DTs like Casey Hampton, Shaun Rogers, and Marcus Tubbs, Rod Wright is a proven commodity that has been a four year starter and projected by many to be a top-20 pick.  His fellow linemate Larry Dibbles was once one of the top prep recruits in the country and though he does not start, plays much of the game and has a mean streak that might rival Warren Sapp's.  The other starter, Frank Okam, will be the next in a great line of defensive linemen at UT, and provides a pass rushing threat that Wright does not.  Even Roy Miller, the freshman backup who will start next season, was a top 10 recruit in the state of Texas and at 19 years old, already has the ability and size of someone that is at their prime in the NFL.

   Dallas Sartz, Oscar Lua, and Rey Maualuga, the LBs for USC, all are supremely talented as well; Lua and Maualuga look like NFL linebackers that will follow in the mold of Lofa Tatupu.  Texas meanwhile, outside of the undersized Rashad Bobino, have NFL talent at LB in Aaron Harris and Robert Killebrew.  Harris has been overshadowed for much of his career by Derrick Johnson, but has had this year to establish himself as a defensive playmaker.  Killebrew meanwhile, has had the unenviable task of replacing Johnson, and has not disappointed, providing a killer instinct and nasty demeanor to the UT defense.

     Finally, the secondaries of both teams are the epitome of elite athletes.  UT has Michael Huff, a projected 1st rounder and Thorpe award winner, teaming up at safety with Michael Griffin, a former prep RB who has a nose for the ball as evidenced by his 21 tackles against Texas A&M.  At corner, UT lines up a combination of Cedric Griffin, Aaron Ross, and Tarrel Brown, all three of which have amazing size and speed for CBs.  All three come in over 6' tall and all three are also solid tacklers.  Ross is also one of the nation's most feared return men.  Finally, UT has Drew Kelson, and safety/LB hybrid player who will probably replace Huff next season at safety.  He started 4 games this season at LB, and is one of the biggest hitters on the team.  He also comes in at 6'3" 215, and reminds some experts of a raw Sean Taylor.  USC's much maligned secondary features only one for sure NFL player in Darnell Bing, but has a collection of high potential players who will improve as their college careers continue.  Bing also has amazing size at 6'3" 220, and plays with almost the same ferocity and nose for the ball that Taylor did in his days at the University of Miami.

    So, going through the depth charts of both teams is a feat in itself, as one will see many familiar names from recruiting seasons of years past.  The depth and talent at both schools is second to none, and will only provide more and more NFL players in the next few years.  If I were an NFL team, I would send most of my scouts to this game, as it truly is the biggest exhibition of NFL talent that we have seen in some time.