Ellison lone Pac-12 selection on final draft day
It was quiet on the UCLA and USC fronts on Friday with respect to the NFL Draft.
There were a few players drafted that played in high school locally, including San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman, who during his time at La Habra was dubbed "The Reggie Bush of Orange County."
Hillman was taken with the 67th overall pick by the Denver Broncos.
As the draft wrapped up on Saturday with rounds four through seven, there was one player taken from Los Angeles' Pac-12 schools.
With the 128th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected USC tight end Rhett Ellison.
He was fourth on the team last season with 22 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Ellison joins offensive tackle Matt Kalil and defensive end Nick Perry as Trojans to be selected in the 2012 Draft and once again will be united with Kalil in Minnesota.
The Vikings are believed to covet Ellison as a fullback to block for Adrian Peterson and former Norco High School star Toby Gerhart.
Ellison comes from NFL genes. His father, Riki, was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round in 1983.
While the Trojans had three players selected in the draft this year, the Bruins didn't have any.
Wide receiver Nelson Rosario was thought to be a day three pick. Rosario was scheduled to participate in Sunday's Dual Meet against USC but at the advice of his agent pulled out of competition.
Rosario had 64 catches for 1,161 yards and five touchdowns last season and also made plenty of highlight catches that received national airtime.
Although his name wasn't called, Rosario was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.
The Vikings signed running back Derrick Coleman. Wide receiver Taylor Embree was signed by the San Diego Chargers and defensive lineman Nate Chandler signed with the Carolina Panthers.