USC Morning Links: Marqise Lee’s NFL Draft Stock Rising and Other News

NFL analyst believes Marqise Lee will rise ahead of Brandin Cooks(Jack Jorgensen | FanSided)

"Two of those prospects could possibly be the last two Biletnikoff Award winners in USC Trojans wideout Marqise Lee (2012) and the Oregon State Beavers’ Brandin Cooks (2013). This season, Cooks actually broke Lee’s Pac-12 record for receptions, which he set during his phenomenal 2012 campaign. For Lee, battling some injuries, 2013 wasn’t maybe the season that he would have wanted, but that still hasn’t stopped a lot of NFL scouts and analysts from still coveting the talented Trojan nonetheless. NFL analyst Bucky Brooks even went as far to say that, should Lee decide to come out within the next couple weeks, he will actually jump ahead of Cooks as far as being the top receiving prospect in the Draft."

Decisions, decisions for Marqise Lee(Mike Waldner | Daily Breeze)

"Like so many juniors on so many teams around the country, Lee must decide between going to the NFL and remaining on campus for his senior season. The outstanding receiver from Serra High comes from less than modest financial circumstances, and the assumption is strong he will opt to enter the NFL draft. This did not prevent someone with ties to him preceding USC to quietly pass along information Lee would consider remaining a Trojan. This prompted another person with pre-Trojan ties to Lee to groan. “If you do not have common sense you are doomed,” this fellow said. “You have to take advantage of the window of opportunity when it is open. Matt Barkley made the worst decision in his life when he stayed at USC (for the 2012 season). It cost him millions of dollars.”"

Nick Young Stars in Lakers Loss to Heat(Shahan Ahmed | NBC Los Angeles)

"Nick Young, aka “Swaggy P,” is not a mainstream star, but he stepped forward to steal the spotlight away from Miami’s “big three” for a short spell. After a poor first half where Young shot 1/8, the former USC Trojan changed his shoes and scored 17 points in the second half, including a 4-point play over LeBron James. Young was electric and his energy kept the arena alive. He finished off the third quarter by attacking James one-on-one. Young hit a 26-foot 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter. James came back and attempted to match Young’s shot on the other end, but James’ shot rimmed out. “Swaggy P” took on the league MVP one-on-one and won. The crowd went wild."

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