T.J McDonald News

USC senior outside linebacker Devon Kennard has been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, given to the nation's top defensive player that exemplifies strong character on and off the field.

Having competed in the Pac-12 South for two seasons, Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham knows what he's up against.

29 at Hawaii Sept. 7 Washington State Sept. 14 Boston College Sept. 21 Utah State Sept.

There is really only one word that could describe the 2012 season for Lane Kiffin and the USC Trojans and that word is disappointment.

From Troy Polamalu to T.J. McDonald, safety has forever been an integral component of USC's defensive capability.

Hawai'i opens season against USC at home, but even with the island advantage they are not expected to keep it close against the Trojans.

The recent NFL draft was rather shocking to those of us who believed USC's 2012 football team was loaded with talent.

Although USC lost a few big-name players - such as Robert Woods, Matt Barkley and T.J. McDonald - the 2013 roster is still strong at many positions.

It seems like just yesterday that the St. Louis Rams were facing the Minnesota Vikings in an attempt to keep their 2012 playoff hopes alive.

When you look back on this years draft it is hard not to be disappointed in how we all thought things should have went.

The Ducks seemed to score at will, coach Chip Kelly's fast and relentless spread scheme making stars of every quarterback manning the controls.

From Tallahassee, FL. to the NFL, former USC strong safety Jawanza Starling has found a home in the professional ranks, signing with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, following being passed up at the 2013 NFL Draft.

Khaled Holmes has found a place in the NFL, getting drafted by Indianapolis Colts in the 4th round, who selected him with the 121st overall pick of this weekend's 2013 NFL Draft.

The Tulsa World has created a database of all disciplinary actions against dentists statewide taken by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry since Jan.

T.J. is the son of Tim McDonald, who was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX-winning team.

The St. Louis Rams have selected Southern California safety T.J. McDonald in the third round of the NFL draft.

Ex-Edison High and USC star T.J. McDonald was selected Friday by the St. Louis Rams on day 2 of the NFL draft.

It's far too fitting that I'm writing my last column for the Daily Trojan on the first day of the 2013 NFL draft .

Dec 31, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker A.J. Klein approaches the line during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Stadium.

When Matt Kalil and Nick Perry shook hands with Roger Goodell last April, you might have envisioned what it would look like this year.