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05.28.09 - Rivers was injured last season with a cracked back block from Steelers WR Hines Ward, and missed the rest of the season because of the injury.  The Bengals drafted Rey Maualuga in the second round this season and now the two former USC linebackers are teammates again.  With the addition of Maualuga this should help Rivers become the playmaking outside linebacker the Bengals envisioned prior to last year’s injury.

Pros: An impressive physical specimen, Rivers has spent the past four seasons anchoring the second level of the Trojans’ stellar defense. The Florida native has good size—with room to get bigger—and even better speed. Rivers led the Trojans in tackles each of the past two seasons, proving he is also a solid, reliable tackler who wraps and finishes. He can cover ground and deliver a blow when he gets there, capable of knocking the football loose. A fantastic athlete, Rivers has outstanding range and is able to drop into coverage or get after the quarterback on blitzes. He is an instinctive player who plays to the whistle and is as smooth an athlete as you will see. A three-year starter, Rivers is amongst the most experienced linebacking prospects and. Plays well in space.

Cons: For all his speed and athletic ability, Rivers has not been the playmaker people expected at USC. There is little doubt–as productive as he has been–that he has yet to reach his ceiling. Rivers could stand to bulk up a bit, as he could have trouble when engaged by bigger blockers. While the upside is there, he does not possess much experience as a pass rusher and lacks ideal ball skills—he catches the ball like a linebacker.

Overall: A weakside prospect, Rivers possesses more potential than his production and numbers indicate. He showed some pass rushing ability as a freshman filling in as an end in passing situations, making him a versatile talent. An aggressive attacker and relentless when in pursuit, Rivers raises the level of play of those around him and might be one of those players who goes on to have a better pro career than college. He wore the storied #55 for the Trojans and hopes to carry on that legacy into the professional ranks.

Murphy’s View: Rivers is an active and athletic outside linebacker who makes plays from sideline-to-sideline and shows the instincts to be around the ball. He has made some plays as a pass rusher, but is not always the most physical defender at the point of attack or when taking on blockers. He moves well for his size and his long arms allow him to get his hands on the ball in pass coverage, but he will over-run some plays. Some believe he is a high first-round pick, while others believe he deserves a second-round grade.

Mogollon’s View: A jack-of-all-trades, Rivers is a run stopper who is also consistently involved in coverage, making him a three down linebacker. He’s not a playmaker, but more of an anti-playmaker, as he makes sure the opponents don’t break a big one. He’s very impressive as an athlete, but you can’t help but wonder why he has yet to break out as a true star. Possesses intriguing potential, which will ensure he will not make it out of the first round. He’ll be a solid starter with the upside to be an All-Pro. While some believe that is a foregone conclusion, he seems to missing something. Do not be surprised if Rivers turns in a solid, but unspectacular NFL career.

Medical Examiner: Rivers struggled with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise during his senior campaign, causing him to miss one game. He missed two games as a junior due to a hamstring pull.

Factoid: USC linebacker coach Ken Norton, Jr. nicknamed Rivers "the Shark" for his aggressive play on the field, juxtaposed to his polite demeanor off of it.

Highlights of Accomplishments:

• 2006 & 2007 First Team All-Pac-10
• 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
• 2007 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List
• 2007 Bronko Nagursk Trophy Watch List
• 2007 Stanley Lott Award Watch List
• Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week (9/2/06)

High School: Played linebacker for Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, FL. In his senior season Rivers recorded 111 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions. He was honored for these achievements as Gatorade Florida Player of the Year and was also Florida Class 6A Mr. Football runner-up.

Quote of Note: "He's really an obvious leader on the team," coach Pete Carroll said. "His leadership, his hard work ethic that he passes on, his seriousness about the game and how important it is to him--it's really, really valuable."

--USC Head Coach Pete Carroll On Keith Rivers