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USC saw four Trojans get their names called during this weekend’s 2013 NFL Draft, bringing the total to 480 all-time in school history. The Trojans continue to hold the record for most athletes drafted into the NFL, though this year’s event saw very few Men of Troy get picked.

Somewhat surprisingly, wide receiver Robert Woods was the first Trojan to be summoned into the pros, receiving his call in the second round from the Buffalo Bills. They selected him with the 41st overall pick, and got the ball rolling for USC’s draftees after a slow start. In the third round, safety T.J. McDonald found himself selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 71st pick and all the while USC fans and analysts alike began to wonder why a certain quarterback had yet to be picked up this late in the draft.

Finally, at the beginning of the fourth round and with the 98th pick, Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles caused quarterback Matt Barkley’s phone to light up, putting an end to the anxiety and speculation. The fourth round was surely not where Barkley saw himself going when he elected to stay at USC for his senior year, but despite the fall from grace, he now has the opportunity to learn a system under Kelly and his current starting quarterback, Michael Vick. This mentorship could really serve Barkley well, allowing him to be properly groomed for a promising pro life that recently has evaded USC quarterbacks.

The last Trojan to be drafted also happened in the fourth round, when the Indianapolis Colts picked up center Khaled Holmes with the 121st overall selection.

Four other Trojans got signed with NFL teams immediately after the draft, the most surprising of which being cornerback Nickell Robey. Though he is slight of size and stature, Robey had a standout career at USC and was thought to be good enough to get selected during one of the NFL Draft’s seven rounds. That ultimately proved not to be the case, but he will join Woods with the Bills this season, as an undrafted free agent. Safety Jawanza Starling signed with the Houston Texans, defensive end Wes Horton with the Carolina Panthers, and running back Curtis McNeal with the Pittsburg Steelers.

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Curtis McNeal has gone from being an LAUSD kid to being in the NFL. McNeal went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, but signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after the annual spectactle ended in New York City, as reported by Steelers Depot.

McNeal wasn’t projected as a running back that would be drafted, mostly due to his size and struggles with injuries. The 5-foot-7, 190 pound back got off to a slow start at USC with just 33 rushing yards to his name before his junior season, but he finished career with enough of a resume for NFL scouts to take a chance on him.

McNeal forfeited the 2010 season due to academic ineligibility, but bounced back wholeheartedly as a junior in 2011, leading USC in rushing with 1,005 rushing yards on just 145 carries. Going into 2012, McNeal was expected to be the Trojans’ starting running back for the whole season, but Lane Kiffin brought in Penn State transfer Silas Redd last July, and the former Nittany Lion got a bulk of the carries and started early.

Redd and McNeal both had injury trouble last season, alternating their missed time, as McNeal was able to thrive late in the season in lieu of Redd’s ankle injury. In a two-week stretch in November against Arizona State and UCLA as the featured back, McNeal had 324 yards on 52 carries.

The two games were far and away McNeal’s best, though a shoulder injury cost him against Notre Dame. In the Sun Bowl, he had just three carries, which allegedly led him to be one of the most vocally frustrated players in a non-physical locker room fracas.

The former Venice Gondolier brings a low point of gravity to the NFL, along with a shiftiness that made him one of the most elusive backs in the Pac-12 of late. With the NFL not valuing running backs as draftable commodities like they used to, going undrafted isn’t necessarily a knock on McNeal, and if he can impress in a camp or two, he could very well find himself getting carries on Sundays.

The second-string running back, who fell to second-fiddle under Silas Redd this season, did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine after recovering from an injury.

Wednesday’s workout gave McNeal a unique opportunity amongst the Barkley and Woods hysteria that surrounded Cromwell Field.

“I was a little nervous today,” McNeal said. “This is the biggest interview of my life thus far, which makes all the preparation pay off.”

McNeal rode into John McKay with his gray USC shirt, full of swagger, physical strength and an inner determination to separate himself in a deep running back class. Curtis McNeal started his day in the weight room looking to distinguish himself with his 5’7″ 190-pound frame.

Vertical: 35in

Bench: 18 reps

Broad: 9’8”

40-Yard Dash: 4.62

When asked about his day, McNeal was composed as he recognized the magnitude of the event working in front of numerous NFL Teams. Superstar personalities Norv Turner, Chuck Pagano and Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley were on hand among the droves of media breaking down ever pass, catch and drill.

McNeal may have shined the most out of the backfield working with Matt Barkley in passing drills. McNeal was one of five players (Robert Woods, Travon Patterson, Dominique Byrd, and Brandom Carswell) catching passes from Barkley, racking in critical sideline passes and bullet hitch routes.

“I think the last drill I did the best because I showed I can catch the ball, I showed I can run routes,” McNeal said.

McNeal caught seven passes for 111 yards this season, including one touchdown against Arizona State. USC Pro Day gave him the chance to showcase his hands, which will be vital to his success as a scat running back moving forward.

“Especially with the new game in the NFL, running backs need to catch the ball and I showed that I am capable of playing at the next level.”

Although McNeal was not the most coveted player USC had in 2012, the exposure of playing at this historic university has given him a grand route to success.

“USC is a Football Factory it really helps my development and exposure,” he said.

The day as a whole went well for the running back prospect, who is graded out as a day-three pick.

McNeal took advantage of his first shot in front of scouts, and is ready for the intense training regiment that will continue leading up to the NFL Draft that begins on April 25th.

“I’m ready for the NFL,” McNeal said. “I showed my skills for the first time. My versatility will allow me to succeed at the next level.”