Football
    Five Trojans Selected In 2005 NFL Draft
    Mike Williams and Mike Patterson are first rounders.
    USC All-Americans Shaun Cody (left) and Mike Williams were selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2005 NFL draft.
    USC All-Americans Shaun Cody (left) and Mike Williams were selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2005 NFL draft.

    April 24, 2005

    Five USC football players--Mike Williams, Mike Patterson, Shaun Cody, Lofa Tatupu and Matt Cassel--were selected in the 2005 NFL draft.

    Four of those players went in the first two rounds, Troy's most in the top two rounds since 1980.

    Williams, a 2003 All-American wide receiver who sat out the 2004 season because of an NCAA ruling on his eligibility, was the highest Trojan selection. He was the 10th pick of the first round, going to the Detroit Lions.

    Patterson also went in the first round, as the 31st pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.

    Fellow All-American defensive tackle Cody went in the second round, joining Williams with the Lions. All-American linebacker Tatupu also was a second rounder, going to the Seattle Seahawks.

    Backup quarterback Cassel was a seventh round pick by the New England Patriots.

    USC has now produced 419 NFL draft picks, including 65 first rounders (more than any other school).