College Career
Cushing attended USC and played for the Trojan football team (2005-2008 seasons) under head coach Pete Carroll and Linebacker Coach Ken Norton Jr. Cushing shared the #10 jersey with Trojan starting quarterback John David Booty from 2005 to 2007.
Cushing was on the 2007 preseason Phil Steele's All-America team and on the 2007 Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy watch lists.
Cushing returned a failed onside kick attempted by Notre Dame at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a late fourth-quarter touchdown on November 25, 2006.
On January 1, 2007, Cushing was named the Defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl Game, after recording 2½ sacks and forcing a third-quarter fumble that changed the momentum of the game.
Cushing was named AP 2nd Team All-American as a senior despite having pedestrian statistics (73 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, & 3 sacks.). NFL scouts didn't admire Cushing for his stats, but for his versatility. Fast enough to play inside and outside linebacker and big and strong enough to play defensive end. Cushing was the most versatile defensive player in the draft. He also shocked NFL scouts by benching 225 lbs 30 times.
Cushing was one of twelve senior USC players, including the four senior linebackers Cushing, Kaluka Maiava, Clay Matthews III and Rey Maualuga, invited to the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine. He also participated in the 2009 Senior Bowl with Maualuga, Matthews, Patrick Turner and others. Alongside fellow USC linebackers Maualuga and Matthews, he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2009 NFL Draft Preview magazine, as all three were regarded as potential first round selections.
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