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Saturday, April 26, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

FIRST ROUND
Name: Troy Polamalu
Position: Safety
College: Southern California
Chosen: 16th overall
Size: 5-10, 206 pounds
Scouting report: Fast, smart, tough, a safety who can hit and cover with the best of them. ... Not as tall as most teams like for a safety but he can fly and separate a receiver from the ball with a big hit. ... Runs a 4.35 in the 40 and has a 38.5-inch vertical jump. ... First-team All-American last year. ... Rated the best safety in the draft. ... Returned three interceptions for touchdowns in his career and blocked four punts. ... Steelers plan to plug him in as starter for departed Lee Flowers at strong safety. ... Has been called the best defensive back at USC since Ronnie Lott in 1980. ... Team captain. ... Has had some problems with concussions, including one last year, but Steelers doctors cleared him. ... Three-year starter. ... Lived in tiny Ten Mile, Ore., since he was 9 with his uncle, the chief of his Samoan family, because his mother wanted to get him out of Los Angeles and away from trouble. ... Another uncle, Al Pola, played football at Penn State.

ROUND 2
Name: Alonzo Jackson
Position: Outside linebacker
College: Florida State
Chosen: 59th overall
Size: 6-31/2, 266 pounds
Scouting report: Played defensive end in college, but Steelers will convert him to outside linebacker, something they've done successfully in the past. ... Only Steelers linebacker who weighed more was Levon Kirkland, but not as a rookie. ... Steelers hoping to use him immediately as a right outside pass rusher in their dime defense. ... Started the past two seasons, plus four games as a sophomore. ... From Americus, Ga., also home of former Steelers assistant Chan Gailey and Atlanta Coach Dan Reeves. ... Ranked second in the ACC with 13 sacks, fourth in the school's history and his 23 career sacks rank fifth. ... Has a good rip pass-rushing move. ... Runs a 4.73 in the 40.