Strengths: A disruptive, penetrating interior defensive lineman. At his best in a one-gap scheme but has some versatility due to experience as a nose tackle and three-technique. He is extremely disruptive versus the run. Displays outstanding initial burst and wins most of his battles with first-step quickness. Uses long arms to keep separation and does an excellent job of disengaging from blocks and keeping on the move. Recognition skills are very good and he's athletic enough to change directions and pursue once he penetrates the backfield. He consistently generates pressure as a pass rusher. Shows upper-echelon closing burst for his position and also does a good job of batting down passes once he realizes he's not getting to the QB. Plays with a great motor and works very hard on and off the field. Never gives up on a play and his effort is infectious.

Weaknesses: Undersized; lacks ideal height and bulk. Not a good fit for schemes that require two-gap ability. Plays with a narrow base and will get overwhelmed by bigger blockers in the phone booth. He struggles to anchor when teams run at him and he really needs to be on the move in order to be successful. Durability has been somewhat of an issue; redshirted in 2003 due to injury that required surgery and missed three games in 2006 (Nebraska, Arizona and Washington State) due to right knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

Overall: Ellis arrived at USC in 2003 but received a medical redshirt after suffering a midseason left ankle fracture which required surgery. During his first three seasons (2004-'06) he saw action in 34 games making 86 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Ellis missed some time in 2006 after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Ellis is a one-gap defensive tackle prospect that isn't for everybody but can be effective in the right scheme (see: Colts, Buccaneers, Eagles, etc.). If ranks among the elite prospects at his position and can solidify a spot in Round 1 with a healthy and productive senior season.

Strengths: Possesses excellent size-potential. He's tall with adequate bulk and room on his frame to get bigger. Displays very good speed and athleticism. A sideline-to-sideline run defender. He refuses to stay blocked. Uses his hands well to sift through traffic and has a knack for disengaging. Shows great awareness and natural instincts. Read and react skills are very good. Takes solid angles in pursuit, shows upper-echelon closing burst and is a powerful tackler. Knows how to jar the ball loose and generates more than his share of forced fumbles. Shows very good closing burst as a pass rusher when he has a clean alley to the QB. Plays with a very good motor and will wear blockers down. Never gives up on a play and will show tremendous effort when pursuing from the backside.

Weaknesses: Still has room to improve in terms of lower-body strength. Plays too high at times and loses his power when he does. Does a great job of sifting through traffic but needs to learn to anchor better when he's forced to take on blocks in the phone booth. Not an established playmaker in the passing game yet. Good range in coverage but lacks ideal ball skills. Needs to improve his pass-rush moves. He has great burst through the line but struggles to get off blocks once reached on the blitz

Overall: Rivers has played in 37 games during his first three seasons (2004-'06) recording 162 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He missed two contests and was limited in others because of a strained hamstring in 2005. Rivers, who possesses the size, speed and athleticism that NFL teams look for in a starting WILL, ranks among the elite class in what should be an outstanding crop of outside linebackers in 2008. Another dominant season as a senior in 2007 could land Rivers a spot in the top-20 picks of next year's draft.