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USC Football News: Tracking the Trojans in NFL Free Agency

ByReign of Troy Staff|

Among the USC football news making the rounds are the 11 former Trojans seeking contracts in NFL Free Agency, which opened Tuesday.

Highlighting the list of unrestricted free agents that had expiring contracts after the 2014 season are Pro Bowler Jordan Cameron, Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith,

Heisman Trophy winner

Reggie Bush and two-time AFC runner up Mark Sanchez.

USC Free Agency Tracker:

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

TE Jordan Cameron: SIGNED with Miami DolphinsThe highest ranked free agent Trojan was Cameron, who NFL.com had the 22nd-best free agent available. With Julius Thomas off the market to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cameron was rumored to either resign with the Cleveland Browns or try his luck with the Raiders, Broncos or Seahawks.

Instead, Cameron joined monster-singing Ndamukong Suh as another major free agent addition for the Miami Dolphins.

Cameron had a monster year in 2013, catching 80 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns with the Browns before a concussion limited him in 2014 to just 20 receptions.

RB Reggie Bush: SIGNED with San Francisco 49ersRanked as the 60th-best free agent by NFL.com, Bush is looking for a new home after he was cut by the Detroit Lions last week. He had three-straight years where he averaged 1,026 rushing yards to revitalize his career, but the 30-year-old Bush struggled last season after losing the starting running back job in Detroit. He averaged a pedestrian 3.9 yards per carry and had just 520 all-purpose yards.

LB Malcolm Smith: SIGNED with Oakland RaidersThe Super Bowl 48 MVP hit the market despite the Seahawks’ tendency to sign every living and breathing USC Trojan available. Part of the reason Carroll didn’t re-up him in Seattle is that he fell out of favor within the Hawks’ rotation at linebacker, starting just five games in 2014 and recording 38 total tackles. He now goes to the Raiders, where he could team up with rookie phenom Khalil Mack.

QB Mark Sanchez: RE-SIGNED with Philadelphia EaglesDespite the Eagles already having Nick Foles and Matt Barkley, Sanchez wound up agreeing to a two-year deal to stay in Philadelphia over the weekend to avoid free agency. Had Sanchez hit the market, he may have been one of the most sought-after quarterbacks behind Brian Hoyer and Jake Locker.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

CB Shareece Wright: SIGNED with San Francisco 49ersWright has made himself a serviceable cornerback in the NFL the last two seasons, starting 27 games with the San Diego Chargers. He has just one interception since being drafted in 2011, but he should be able to sign a deal on day one of free agency as a solid corner.

FS Taylor Mays: SIGNED with Minnesota VikingsMays picked up a one-year deal with the Vikings after fielding attention from Oakland, St. Louis and Washington. Having spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, he will be reunited with former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who now heads up Minnesota.

DL Fili Moala: UnsignedFor the second time in three seasons, Moala torn his ACL last year. The long-time Colt could return to Indy, but his injury history might raise concerns for a player who has registered just 88 combined tackles in five seasons.

TE Anthony McCoy: RE-SIGNED with Seattle SeahawksPete Carroll is keeping his tight end in Seattle. The Trojan agreed to a one-year contract extension to stay with the Seahawks despite not recording a catch since the 2012 season due to multiple Achilles tendon injuries.

LB Mike Morgan: RE-SIGNED with Seattle SeahawksAs with McCoy, Morgan is sticking in Seattle with Carroll. He’s expected to play a major role on special teams for the two-time defending NFC champions.

RB Joe McKnight: UnsignedAn Achilles rupture cost him most of 2014 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but McKnight could be an option for teams needing a versatile playmaker on the cheap.

TE David Ausberry: UnsignedAusberry played in six games with the Oakland Raiders in 2014, catching a pair of passes for 14 yards. He’s yet to start a game in the NFL and with 11 career catches, he’ll be needing a strong training camp with whomever he signs with.

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