USC's Nick Perry developing into solid 2012 NFL Draft prospect

Last week, Southern California defensive end Nick Perry had an impressive showing his battle with Stanford left tackle Jonathan Martin. Tonight against Colorado, things should be much easier for the talent pass rusher.

Perry gave Martin some trouble last week using a speed swim to the outside. (See the clip at the end of the post) The junior has a nice burst and is fluid enough to dip underneath and to the outside. That's where Perry is at his best and why he's considered by some to be a good 3-4 linebacker prospect.

When Perry struggled, which came often against the great left tackle, it was because he tried to use power and little else.

On the season, Perry has six and a half tackles for loss and four sacks. Although he had only three tackles (with none coming for negative yards) against Stanford, Perry was the best player on the USC line. He was consistently disrupting the pocket throughout the game, a key for the Trojans defense that doesn't use their linebackers much to blitz.

To really be worthy of a high pick, the former blue chip recruit has to learn better counter moves to match his burst and closing speed. On some plays, Martin would simply drive Perry around and out of the play. If Perry could shift his hips and work back inside, he could develop into a great prospect. Of course, that would also mean adding more upper body strength to his 250-pound frame.

Perry is one of many USC juniors who many expect to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. If he does, he projects to the late first to middle part of the second round.