It would seem obvious, but having not read it elsewhere, let me be the first to say:
Pete Carroll coached in the Pac-10.
Arizona: DT Earl Mitchell, CB Devin RossArizona State: DE Dexter Davis, LB Travis Goethel, OT Shawn Lauvao, WR Chris McGaha, WR Kyle Williams
California: DE Tyson Alualu, RB Jahvid Best, WR Nyan Boateng, OL Mike Tepper, CB Syd'Quan Thompson, WR Verran Tucker
Oregon: RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Ed Dickson, CB Walter Thurmond, S T.J. Ward
Oregon State: QB Sean Canfield, OLB Keaton Kristick
Stanford: TE Jim Dray, RB Toby Gerhart, OT Matt Kopa, DE Erik Lorig.
UCLA: OLB Kyle Bosworth, DT Brian Price,CB Alterraun Verner
USC: OT Charles Brown, C Jeff Byers, DE Everson Griffen, RB Stafon Johnson, S Taylor Mays, TE Anthony McCoy, RB Joe McKnight, G Alex Parsons, CB Josh Pinkard, CB Kevin Thomas, WR Damian Williams
Washington: DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim
That's the preliminary list of Pac-10 Combine invites. I updated it with some common sense additions. I do not think Carroll will monomaniacally draft from the Pac-10 because USC played in the Pac-10, but having scouted and game planned against the above players, Carroll will know them as only a coach and enemy can know them: to the bone.
For instance, I've heard zero chatter about Syd'Quan Thompson. If you're looking for the completing corner that creates the Pistol-Quan Midget Corner Tyranny, Syd is your man.
Or, should Carroll believe Seattle needs to add size, he knows full well of Kevin Thomas's potential. Thomas might be as expensive as a phone call.
Best went from sensation to forgotten, but he's the closest equivalent to Felix Jones in this draft. He will make his career returning, receiving, running draws and off tackle, but a fine career can be made of that.
There's a ton of other interesting names. The Pac-10 won't define Seattle's draft, but it will inform it. I think we'll see at least four Pac-10 Combine invites drafted or invited to mini-camp. That's conservative. Seattle drafted three last year: Max Unger, Nick Reed and Cameron Morrah.
Three eastern powerhouses Carroll scrapped with should add at least another name.
USC manages to smack around Ohio State once a season. And here's why:
Ohio State: S Kurt Coleman, Thaddeus Gibson, K Aaron Pettrey, DT Doug Worthington.
Yes yes yes, it was close last year. Enjoy your moral victory, Buckeye fans. Don't sleep on Worthington. He looks like a 3-4 end if Seattle attempts that. I doubt they will, but it's at least in the conversation.
Notre Dame, of course.
Notre Dame: QB Jimmy Clausen, S Kyle McCarthy, C Eric Olsen, WR Golden Tate, OT Sam Young.
Hard to read McCarthy. Seems like Notre Dame produces a safety every season. Apart from Clausen and Tate, there's not much to see here. Apart from Clausen and Tate: Super Bowl XLIX Co-MVPs. Dame always produces NFL talent, but their depth is perennially awful. Thus, Charlie Weis, offensive coordinator.
Carroll prepared for these guy's before the 2009 Rose Bowl.
Penn State: Navorro Bowman OLB, QB Daryll Clark, LB Sean Lee, DT Jared Odrick, TE Andrew Quarless
Odrick has a nice physical package. His broad, thickly muscled frame seranades a scout's heart. You'll notice his football moves look form when he's on. You also might notice that he breaks more tackles than Barry Sanders.
He turned 22 New Year's Eve. Most likely a 3-4 end, and a project at that, but for a team that can stash and develop, Odrick could be an Aaron Smith type.
Most recently, Carroll faced Boston College in the prestigious Emerald Bowl.
Boston College: LB Mike McLaughlin, C Matt Tennant
Moving on.. I would also pay attention to Tennessee. The Kiffin-Carroll connection doesn't have to be strong for the two to share information.
Tennessee: FS Eric Berry, RB Montario Hardesty, OT Chris Scott, DT Dan Williams
I have no idea why one would want to draft Hardesty, but there you go.
It's an incomplete list but an important one. I not only expect Carroll to plunder the Pac-10, I would be greatly discouraged if he didn't.