MOBILE, Ala. — Senior safety T.J. McDonald put the NFL on hold for a year to return to USC his senior season to complete "Unfinished Business".
By now, you probably know how that went for the Trojans. They started the 2012 season as the AP's preseason No. 1 team, stumbling to a 7-6 finish. It was quite the change from the 10-2 record the Trojans posted just the year before.
How did the downturn at Troy affect McDonald's draft stock?
"I don't know," he said after Monday's practice at the Senior Bowl. "You can never tell, all that stuff is just a projection."
McDonald, who officially weighed in at 6-foot-2 211-pounds, is the son of former USC All-American and Pro-Bowler Tim McDonald. Though the son of a decorated player, McDonald says he feels no pressure to live up to his father and carry the often spoken about "NFL bloodlines".
"I'm confident in my abilities," he said. "I'm just coming out here doing what I can and trusting in my preparation."
He trusted in his instincts on Monday. McDonald picked-off North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon during full team drills.
"I'm feeling really good," McDonald said. "Good to get back in the flow and put the pads on."
McDonald is projected to be a third to fourth round pick.