 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.Cushing, along with Archie Griffin of Ohio State University, are the only two players in college football history to have competed in the Rose Bowl as starters in all four seasons of their college careers.Cushing was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and had one of the best defensive seasons by a rookie in NFL history.