Jeff Byers, C

Byers might be on the small side, but his versatility is a tremendous asset.

Former USC All-American linebacker Rey Maualuga noted, "Jeff is always saying, 'I'm not that big, I'm not that fast, I can't play at the next level.' Then you'll see a long run and he's the first offensive lineman down the field. He's got a motor. You can't coach that."

Injuries forced Byers to miss the 2005 and '06 season, as the NCAA approved his request for an injury redshirt waiver in 2008 and granted him a sixth year of eligibility in 2009. When healthy, he was a mainstay at either left offensive guard or center for the Trojans.

While sidelined, Byers received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration in the summer of 2007, and is currently studying under the Master of Business Administration program at the USC Marshall School of Business.

During the 2008 season, former Southern California head coach Pete Carroll had Byers lecture the entire team on the subprime mortgage crisis. After the lecture, Trojans' offensive line coach Pat Ruel said, "Even when Jeff does something wrong, I have a hard time getting on him because I don't have my MBA!"

Byers attended Loveland High School and participated in basketball, track and excelled at football. In 2003, he played on both sides of the ball, competing at center and linebacker. That season, he recorded 203 tackles, 56 stops for loss, 10 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one that he advanced for a touchdown.

On offense, he played center and registered a school-record 34 "pancake" blocks in one game and never allowed a sack during his three-year in his career. He led his team to its second consecutive Class 4A state championship and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, as the nation's top high school athlete.

Among his other 2003 honors were EA Sports National Player of the Year, Army of One Award (for effort on the field, class and community), Arena Football League Ironman of the Year (as nation's best two-way player), USA Today All-USA, Parade All-American MVP, Super Prep All-Midlands, Prep-Star All-Midlands, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first-team.

Byers added All-American accolades from Super Prep, Prep Star and EA Sports. He was a Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team and Tom Lemming Top 100. As a junior in 2002, he won All-State honorable mention, All-Area and All-Conference honors while posting 138 tackles, 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 5.5 sacks. He also competed in basketball and track at Loveland.

Although Byers arrived at Southern California as a center, the Trojans already had then-sophomore Ryan Kalil who kept the position for three seasons. As a result, Byers moved to left offensive guard.

As a freshman, he started four of the thirteen games he played in during the 2004 season, as the Trojans went on to win the National Championship. "I knew when I came here that USC has the most talented players in the country. I get my eyes opened every day," Byers said during his rookie season.

In the spring prior to the 2005 season, Byers had hip surgery and missed the entire season under a medical redshirt. He started the 2006 season as a reserve in the season opener vs. Arkansas, but suffered a back sprain in the subsequent week that required surgery, forcing him to sit out the rest of the schedule.

Byers recovered in time for the 2007 campaign, as he started 12 games at left guard and vs. Washington State at center. He missed most of the training camps the following spring after contracting Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Byers was able to recover and was selected as a team captain for the 2008 season. He manned the left guard position all year, receiving All-Pac 10 Conference second-team honors from the league's coaches. He posted 66 knockdowns and ten touchdown-resulting blocks in his second year in the starting lineup.

Byers was named All-Pac 10 Conference first-team in 2009, adding Academic All-Pac 10 honorable mention. The William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist was the recipient of the USC Offensive Lineman of the Year Award and team Co-Lifter of the Year Award. With starting center Kristofer O'Dowd injured in August camp, Byers was moved to center, starting there in the Trojans' season opener vs. San Jose State.

Byers returned to left guard for the next five games before O'Dowd was re-injured at mid-season. That injury pushed the versatile lineman back to the pivot until the final two games, when he returned to left guard to close out his career. For the season, he made 76 knockdowns and registered 12 touchdown-resulting blocks.

Before accepting the head coach position with the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll had this last thoughts about his valuable lineman, "The attitude he brings, the work ethic he brings are perfect. He has very high expectations for himself. He won't settle for anything but the best. He's got all the ingredients to be a great player."

"We like his athleticism, his intensity and the intangibles that he brings. His downfield blocking sets the tone for the style of play that we like. He flies to his blocks better than anyone we've ever had, making use of his legs and his guts to finish plays. He creates such an attitude about the way we play."

Positives: Can be a very strong drive blocker, firing off the ball and exploding into defenders to clear a running lane. Also stands strong in pass protection despite a relative lack of bulk. Rarely rocked back or pushed into the backfield. Even when he stops his feet, can remain engaged with his long arms. Has the mobility and toughness to be effective in a zone-blocking scheme. Gets low in short-yardage situations to win leverage battles. Highly intelligent and plays with good hustle and a mean streak.

Negatives: Sets up quickly but can be more effective with his initial punch. Lunges and drops his head a bit to get to his man at times, and will allow tackles too far into his body instead of using his length. Has to focus on bending his knees to prevent being driven backward against bigger nose tackles in the NFL. Has a tendency to duck his head in an effort to sustain downfield.

Byers appeared in 53 games during his six seasons at Southern California … Started a total of 43 contests -- 36 at left guard and seven at center … In his final two seasons, the lineman registered 142 knockdowns, 22 touchdown-resulting blocks and nine blocks down field … During the team's last 851 pass plays, he gave up just two of the 36 quarterback sacks that the Trojans allowed.

All-Pac-10 Conference first-team selection, adding Academic All-Pac-10 honorable mention … Recipient of the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year Award and co-Lifter of the Year Award … William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist (formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. It is considered by many to be the "Academic Heisman.") … Member of the 2009 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society … Byers proved to be invaluable to the front wall that was decimated by injuries, as he started at left offensive guard vs. Ohio State, Washington, Washington State, California, Notre Dame, Arizona and Boston College (Emerald Bowl) and at center vs. San Jose State, Oregon State, Oregon, Arizona State, Stanford and UCLA … Graded 82.69% for blocking consistency, as the line-man registered 76 knockdowns/key blocks with 12 touchdown-resulting blocks and four downfield blocks … Allowed just one quarterback sack and no pressures on 463 pass plays … Graded 85% or better for blocking consistency in four games, including a season-best 91% in the season opener vs. San Jose State.

Earned All-American third-team recognition from Phil Steele's … All-Pac 10 Conference second-team and Academic All-Pac-10 honorable mention … Draddy Trophy quarter-finalist and Lowe's Senior Class Award finalist … Recipient of the team's Chris Carlisle Courage Award … Started all season at left offensive guard, as he was fully recovered from hernia surgery prior to spring drills and Rocky Mountain fever that he contracted during the summer while back home in Colorado … Allowed just one quarterback sack and no QB pressures on 388 pass plays, registering 66 knockdowns/key blocks, along with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks and five blocks downfield … Penalized twice -- once each vs. Stanford and Penn State (Rose Bowl) … Graded 85% or better for blocking consistency in five games, including a season-best 94% vs. Washington State.

After missing two seasons with injuries, Byers returned to the lineup at left offensive guard, starting 12 games at that position and started at center in the Washington State clash … Helped the offense average 434.9 yards per game, as Byers collected 66 knockdowns and 10 touchdown-resulting blocks … Allowed two quarterback sacks and no pressures on 460 pass plays.

After missing the 2005 season with a hip injury, Byers appeared ready to assume the starting job at left offensive guard as a sophomore … After seeing action as a backup in the opener at Arkansas, he suffered a back sprain prior to the Nebraska game and was side-lined the rest of the season … Because of the early-season injury, he was allowed to red-shirt, but he also missed some of 2007 spring drills while recuperating.

Byers was set to see plenty of action on the offensive line as a left guard, but he had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his right hip prior to 2005 spring practice and missed most of spring drills while recuperating, which forced him to redshirt.

2005: Byers underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his right hip prior to 2005 spring practice and missed most of spring drills while recuperating, which forced him to redshirt.

2006: After seeing action as a backup in the opener at Arkansas, he suffered a back sprain prior to the Nebraska game and was sidelined the rest of the season. He also sat out part of 2007 spring drills while recuperating.

2008: Byers underwent hernia surgery prior to spring practice … Missed part of August camp while recovering from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which he contracted during a summer visit to his Colorado home.

Campus: 5.22 in the 40-yard dash … 1.75 10-yard dash … 3.03 20-yard dash … 4.52 20-yard shuttle … 7.58 three-cone drill … 28 1/2-inch vertical jump … 8'6" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times … 33-inch arm length … 9-inch hands.

Attended Loveland (Colo.) High School, where he participated in basketball, track and excelled at football … In 2003, he played on both sides of the ball, competing at center and linebacker … That season, he recorded 203 tackles, 56 stops for loss, 10 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one that he advanced for a touchdown …

On offense, the center registered a school game-record 34 "pancake" blocks in one game and never allowed a sack during his three-year in his career … Led his team to its second consecutive Class 4A state championship and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, as the nation's top high school athlete … Also named EA Sports National Player of the Year, Army of One Award (for effort on the field, class and community), Arena Football League Ironman of the Year (as nation's best two-way player), USA Today All-USA, Parade All-American MVP, Super Prep All-Midlands, Prep-Star All-Midlands, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first-team … Added All-American accolades from Super Prep, Prep Star and EA Sports. He was a Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team and Tom Lemming Top 100 … As a junior in 2002, he won All-State honorable mention, All-Area and All-Conference honors while posting 138 tackles, 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 5.5 sacks … Competed in basketball and track at Loveland.

Received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration in the summer of 2007 and is working on his master's degree in business … Made the 2009 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society … One of ten finalists for the 2008 Lowe's Senior Class Award (given to the top college football senior student-athlete) and was a quarterfinalist for the Draddy Trophy (nation's top senior football scholar-athlete) … Semi-finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2009 (formerly the Draddy Trophy) … Three-time Academic All-Pac 10 choice … Graduated with a 3.27 grade point average … Born 9/07/85 … Resides in Fort Collins, Colorado.