2014 NFL Draft: A Summary of How The UCLA Bruins & USC Trojans Fared

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

2014 NFL DRAFT

UCLA BRUINS DRAFTED:

Anthony Barr – 1st round, Minnesota Vikings, 9th pick overall

Xavier Sua-Filo – 2nd round (first player taken), Houston Texans, 33rd pick overall

Cassius Marsh – 4th round, Seattle Seahawks, 106th pick overall

Shaquelle Evans – 4th round, New York Jets, 115th pick overall

Jordan Zumwalt – 6th Round, Pittsburgh Steelers, 192nd pick overall

NOT DRAFTED:  Brandon Sermons (FA, Arizona Cardinals), Darius Bell (FA, Baltimore Ravens), Seali’i Epenesa (FA, New England Patriots)

USC TROJANS DRAFTED:

Marqise Lee – 2nd round, Jacksonville Jaguars, 39th pick overall

Marcus Martin – 3rd round, San Francisco 49ers, 70th pick overall

Devon Kennard – 5th round, New York Giants, 174th pick overall

NOT DRAFTED: Dion Bailey (FA, Seattle Seahawks), Xavier Grimble (FA, New York Giants), Morgan Breslin (FA, San Francisco 49ers), Silas Redd (FA, Washington)

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Marqise Lee (Southern California) stands with his family for a photo during the NFL Draft red carpet arrivals at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

FA = Free Agent

Starting with Barr’s selection by the Vikings, the highest that a Bruin was drafted since Jonathan Ogden in 1996, by the time all 256 players were chosen by the 32 NFL teams at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, it was crystal clear that UCLA was the outright winner in this year’s version of the most famous draft in professional sports.

It was actually a bit surprising that the Trojans received far less love than people projected as the “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” school of thought prevailed in Lee’s case; his 2013 numbers, which were far less than his 2012 numbers, were a main factor in the wide receiver falling from a top-15 pick to the second round.

It was also a little surprising that Bailey, a safety, and Grimble, a tight end – both of whom had very good careers as Trojans – didn’t hear their names called at all.

Those two guys, along with Breslin and Redd, were forced to essentially sign contracts to try out as being a rookie free agent holds no job security whatsoever; those are the ones that are usually cut first in training camp.

I’m sure that won’t phase them, though, as they are encouraged by their former teammate, Nickell Robey, not only sticking with the Buffalo Bills this past season after not being drafted, he starts at nickel corner back for them.

Robey’s success will undoubtedly serve as motivation and an inspiration.

As for the Bruins, it was definitely a good weekend in Westwood as five of the blue-and-gold players were taken among the seven rounds.

This further solidifies the notion that UCLA football is not only on the right track, it is also on the rise, and the NFL obviously saw that.

Bruin coach Jim Mora needs to be given many kudos as this also reinforces how he has turned that program around; this year’s draft success will immensely help in recruiting because high school players will see that if they sign with UCLA and do well, their chances of playing on Sundays will be that much better.

I’m sure that all these now ex-Bruins and Trojans who just got their names added to preseason NFL rosters know this, but the REAL work begins now.

As of today, everything that they did in Westwood and south of Downtown Los Angeles means absolutely nothing.

Barr, Lee, Sua-Filo, and the rest of those guys now need to act as they are 18 year-old zero-star walk-ons trying to make a team, which in essence they are as everyone knows that the NFL is a completely different game that college ball.

They will be going from the freeway to the Indy 500 as far as the speed of the pro game, which will be the biggest adjustment they have to make.

Whether or not they will be able to make that adjustment and have good, long-lasting NFL careers remains to be seen, but…

May 9, 2014; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr is interviewed by local media at Winter Park Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

As Kevin Costner, playing Crash Davis in the iconic movie Bull Durham, told Tim Robbins, who played the not-too-bright pitching phenom Nuke LaLoosh, when giving advice on what to say in interviews:

“I’m just going to give it my best shot, and the Good Lord willing, things will work out.”

That’s exactly the attitude that these newbies from L.A.’s two football playing schools – and everyone else who got drafted or (especially) signed as rookie free agents – need to have.