Matt Kalil, OT

Kalil is bigger and more athletic than Sam Baker -- a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 -- and more technically sound than Tyron Smith -- selected in the first round by Dallas last April.

It's easy to see why scouts are so excited about the junior's upside and his ability to join these two former Trojans as first-round picks. Scouts' excitement is all the more understandable when you consider his bloodlines and the fact that he's only going to get better with time.

Kalil followed his older brother Ryan's footsteps in signing with USC. Ryan turned an All-American career with the Trojans into a second round pick with the Carolina Panthers in 2006. He's since emerged as one of the NFL's top centers.

Matt redshirted in 2008 when a sprained knee limited him early and served as a backup right tackle behind Smith in 2009. He switched over to the left side in the spring of 2010 and started all 13 games, demonstrating the strength and technique of a more experienced player. He was an All-Pac-12 pick in 2011, when he started every game before opting to leave school with a year of eligibility remaining after learning he was likely to be an early first-round pick.

Scouts will proceed cautiously with Kalil as he was surrounded by a great deal of talent. He was one of only two returning starters (Khaled Holmes) for the Trojans up front last season. Preseason Playboy All-American hype didn't hold him back and he appears to be ready to emerge as a top-10 pick in the pre-draft process.

Pass blocking: Eases out of his stance, showing good patience in allowing the defender to come to him. Plays with textbook balance and technique; his knees bent, shoulders square and on the balls of his feet. Has good arm length and strength throughout his upper body to grab hold of the defender. Generally speaking, when Kalil gets his hands on the defender, it is game over, as he has the power and agility to mirror his opponent. Can get fundamentally lazy on occasion, however, failing to shuffle laterally and instead leaning into the defender, creating opportunities for his opponent to surprise him with a secondary move. Has good, but not elite lateral agility and may struggle with top edge rushers at the next level. Good recognition in pass protection. Sees the stunt and/or blitz coming and reacts accordingly.

Run blocking: Fires off the snap and has the prototypical build and strength of an NFL offensive lineman. Maintains good pad level and has the strength in his upper body and leg drive to knock his opponent off the ball, including in short yardage situations. Keeps his hands inside the numbers. Quick to the second level and shows good, not great, mobility in blocking secondary targets. Flashes some nastiness, taking advantage of defenders off-balance to pancake them emphatically.

Pulling/trapping: Not asked to pull often in this scheme, though he is asked to block on the move on designed roll-outs. Comfortable in this role, showing plenty of athleticism and recognition to handle blocking in space. Effective trap blocker, who opens his shoulder to allow the defender inside, before turning and sealing the opponent from the action.

Initial Quickness: Doesn't wow you with his initial quickness. Instead, has a smooth, patient style about him when in pass protection. Rarely allows an outside pressure despite operating against hybrid fronts and many undersized pass rushers. Has good quickness off the snap when run blocking, though his strength and hand placement are more critical to his success.

Downfield: Good initial quickness when he needs to get to the second level. Locates his assignment quickly. Generally shows good lateral agility and balance when on the move and greets his target with an emphatic punch. Doesn't rely on an initial shove to finish the block, but instead sticks with his assignment. Would like to see him show a little more fire in his play, as he seems content with controlling his opponent rather than physically dominating him as he seems capable of doing.

Intangibles: Younger brother (Ryan) and father (Frank) each played D-I college football (Ryan at USC, Frank at Arkansas, Arizona) and in the NFL (Carolina and Buffalo, respectively). Plays on the defensive line for special teams and blocked a PAT against Notre Dame in 2010.

--Rob Rang

Kalil, the Pac-12 Morris Trophy winner in 2011, is a 2-year starter at left tackle and was named a 2011 All-American first teamer by Walter Camp, Pro Football Weekly and YahooSports.com/Rivals.com and he made the 2011 All-Pac-12 first team. He was a 2011 Lombardi Award semifinalist and was named USC's 2011 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He helped the Trojans average 456.8 yards of total offense, while allowing only 8 quarterback sacks (a figure that ranks tops in the nation). He also excelled on special teams, where he blocked four kicks this year (2 blocked PATs, 2 blocked field goal attempts). Kalil becomes the 16th Trojan offensive or defensive lineman to win the Morris Trophy, including the 12th offensive lineman. Most recently, offensive tackle Tyron Smith won it in 2010.

Kalil started all 13 games at left offensive tackle as a sophomore in 2010. He blocked a PAT against Notre Dame.

Served as a backup right offensive tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2009, but played primarily on special teams. He started against Boston College and performed well, and saw limited action in 11 other games in 2009 (all but Arizona State).

Kalil redshirted as a freshman offensive tackle in 2008, his first year at USC. He was sidelined for a few weeks during the season with a sprained knee.

His 2007 honors included Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, EA Sports All-American first team, USA Today All-USA second team, Scout.com All-American second team, ESPN 150, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Dream Team, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division first team, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and All-Trinity League Co-Lineman of the Year as a senior offensive and defensive lineman at Servite High in Anaheim (Calif.).

As a junior in 2006, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division first team, Los Angeles Times All-Star and All-Trinity League Co-Lineman of the Year. He made the 2005 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore first team. Current Trojans Chris Galippo and D.J. Shoemate also prepped at Servite.

He's a sociology major at USC. His father, Frank, was a center at Arkansas (1978) and Arizona (1980-81-82), then was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1982 before playing for the USFL's Arizona Wranglers in 1983 and Houston Gamblers in 1984. His brother, Ryan, lettered 4 years (2003-06) at center for USC, where he earned All-American honors and was the Pac-10 Morris Trophy winner in 2006 (he was a member of USC's 2003 and 2004 national championship squads), and now plays with the NFL's Carolina Panthers.