While the Trojan Huddle at the Coliseum on Saturday showcased how bright the future could be for the USC football team, across the country the NFL held an event showing how bright things were on the field for the Trojans in 2008.

Led by a trio of first-round picks, USC had five players from its 2008 roster find out where their professional homes would be.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was the first Trojan off the board, getting picked with the fifth overall selection. The New York Jets, originally saddled with the 17th-overall selection, traded with the Cleveland Browns to land their quarterback of the future.

USC head coach Pete Carroll, who was openly critical about Sanchez's decision to leave early, said Saturday that Sanchez made the right decision.

"Going to New York is just so awesome," Carroll, a former Jets' head coach, said. "To go play there and be part of the Jets organization and all that history, the fans, it'll be a challenge — but one Mark can handle. It's an experience of a lifetime that you can't get any other way.

"It's turned out beautifully for him. He's surged so much here in the last month with workouts. I couldn't be happier for him."

The selection was shown on the video board inside the Coliseum during the scrimmage and was met with a large cheer.

The Houston Texans plucked the next Trojan, selecting Brian Cushing with the 15th pick in the first round. Cushing is penciled to stay at strongside linebacker for the Texans, and according to the Houston Chronicle, he'll wear No. 56.

"Brian is the kid we targeted all along," defensive coordinator Frank Bush told the Chronicle. "We like the energy he brings, the intensity he brings."

The second USC linebacker taken in the first round, Clay Matthews soared up draft boards before landing with the Green Bay Packers at No. 26.

The Packers traded with the New England Patriots to make the pick.

Matthews will fit a need at either outside linebacker position for the Packers as they transition to a 3-4 defense.

"The more you watched him the more natural he looks as a player," Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson said to the Milwaukee Sentinel. "He's always on his feet. He has great hips and balance. He can use his hands effectively against offensive linemen and running backs. He can run. He can move in space. He plays the game remarkable."

USC's quest to have three linebackers selected in the first round didn't come to fruition when Rey Maualuga, slid all the way until the 38th overall selection.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Maualuga with the sixth choice in the second round, and Maualuga, who will join ex-Trojan Keith Rivers in Cincinnati, told the Los Angeles Times he'd use the slide as motivation.

"Unfortunately, I had to screw it up and not have three linebackers go in the first round," Maualuga said. "But everything happens for a reason. . . . I'll be out to prove everybody wrong."

The Indianapolis Colts selected Fili Moala with the 56th selection in the Draft, trading up with the Miami Dolphins to make the selection.

Moala is expected to compete immediately for time inside the Colts' defensive line.

While USC had five players selected on day one of the Draft, the Trojans could be even more popular on day two.

Kaluka Maiava, Kyle Moore, David Buehler, Patrick Turner, Cary Harris and Kevin Ellison could all hear their names called Sunday.