USF has its first draft pick since 2004, as linebacker Stephen Nicholas was taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round, with the 109th overall pick. Nicholas, a four-year standout for the Bulls who has USF's career sacks record, was the fifth outside linebacker taken. After lining up against Bobby Petrino when he coached at Louisville, Nicholas will now be working with the first-year Falcons coach.

Nicholas told me that when he interviewed with Petrino at the NFL combine workouts in Indianapolis, he didn't recognize Petrino at first, but he laughed and told NIcholas that he wished he'd left for the NFL a year earlier so his Cardinals wouldn't have had to face him last fall.

Stay tuned for more draft updates and free-agent signings tonight ...