Posted by ESPN.com’s Mike Sando

USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis measured at 6 feet and 309 pounds. A scout I spoke with compared him to Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton, except that Ellis is more of a pass rusher. According to Ellis, an NFL coach asked him what he would change about himself. This is a not-so-veiled way to get players to reveal their weaknesses. Ellis appeared amused by the question, saying he told the coach he liked himself and wouldn’t change much.

Ellis appears at ease while answering questions from reporters. He appears comfortable with himself and his accomplishments. He’ll play defensive tackle in the NFL, as he did at USC, but reporters wanted to know which specific DT spot suited him best. Ellis said he played some nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme the Trojans incorporated into their defense. He said he wasn’t sure how he would perform in such a system, “but I was actually pretty good at it.”

Ellis said he has played zero technique (nose in the 3-4), one technique (shaded to one side of the center) and three technique (traditional 4-3 DT). Most defensive tackles in his weight range would play in a 4-3 scheme, but Ellis is only 6 feet tall, so he is thicker than the typical 309-pound tackle.

Ellis projects as a potential top-five pick in the draft.