2016 was supposed to be Justin Davis’ season to be, but a high ankle sprain and being supplanted in the lineup caused his numbers to suffer. The nimble runningback ended up with 564 yards and 2 TDs in his last year at USC. He was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Undaunted, Justin signed with the Rams as a free agent. I guess it made sense with the locality of the franchise to USC. The Rams were loaded at runningback. With Todd Gurley firmly entrenched as the starter and Lance Dunbar behind him, Davis had to unseat either Malcolm Brown or Aaron Green to stand a chance of making the roster. Davis had an inspired preseason. With most of the RB corps either resting or injured, Justin came out and after dropping the rock twice in three carries, he put together a pretty solid argument for making the Rams roster. He beat out Green, and actually made the final cut- thanks in part also by the suspension of Dunbar.
Dylan Thompson played quarterback for the Ol’ Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, at South Carolina. While Dylan did not see any starting duty in his first 3 years at the school (behind Connor Shaw), he put up school record numbers in his final campaign in 2014. During his Senior year Dylan was 270 of 451 for 3564 yards with 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
Thompson was not selected during the 2015 NFL Draft. He’d bounce on and off the roster and practice squad of the 49ers in 2015 and 2016, and the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 and 2017.
In 2018 things went in a new direction for Dylan as he was hired by the Detroit Lions as a Character/ Player Development Coach.
Dominique Easley played college ball for the Florida Gators from 2010 to 2013. An impressive defensive line talent Easley posted 72 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, but has been plagued by injuries (most troubling) to his ACL. He’d be selected by the New England Patriots with the 29th pick of the 2014 NFL draft to be groomed as Big Vince Wilfork’s eventual replacement on the line. After playing sparingly, he’d be placed on IR to end his rookie season with 9 tackles, a sack, and a pick. In 2015, Wilfork departed for greener pastures leaving Easley squarely in the rotation, but once again Easley frustratingly finished the season on IR, after just 15 tackles and 2 sacks. He’d be cut by the team in 2016.
Passing through waivers, Dominique signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The bet paid off as he had a solid season worked into the defensive line rotation. He’d post a career high 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Easley resigned with the Rams in 2017, but tore his ACL again in camp ending his season before it began.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
