While Southern California star and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush has not officially declared for the 2006 NFL draft, it seems to be a foregone conclusion.

According to an ESPN report, Bush began the process of interviewing agents this week and has already started to narrow down his list.

Bush met with seven agents on Monday in Los Angeles, according to ESPN. The agents were Tom Condon, David Dunn, Todd France, Mitch Frankel, Eugene Parker, Joel Segal and Leigh Steinberg. According to the report, France, Segal and Steinberg were notified on Tuesday that they were finalists to represent Bush.

A second round of interviews will follow, although ESPN reported that it might not take place until after the Rose Bowl.

The Los Angeles Daily News has already reported that Bush will turn pro. He is already being advised by Reebok representative Mike Ornstein, who previously worked for the Raiders, the paper reported.

According to ESPN, Ornstein sat in on the Monday interviews, which were conducted within NCAA guidelines so Bush could retain his college eligibility. Not that that appears to be an issue.

MIKE CELIZIC ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL Best since Sayers USC's Bush clearly should be top pick in next NFL draft msnbc.com

The 6-foot, 200-pound junior figures to be one of the top picks in April’s NFL draft and has until Jan. 15 to declare.

League scouts, who are not permitted to discuss underclass candidates but typically do so in off-the-record conversations or evaluations that are not for attribution, certainly feel that Bush will be in the draft. Although the process of analyzing the 2006 draft class is still in its early stages, the strong consensus is that Bush would be the first player chosen.

The Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers, with just two victories each, are currently the top contenders to have the first overall selection in the draft.

Slide show   Mr. President Images of Heisman winner Reggie Bush's stellar season for USC

Bush, who won the Heisman this season after rushing for 1,658 yards and 15 touchdowns, had said he would wait until after the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4 to make his decision.

USC coach Pete Carroll said he'll address future options with several players next week.

"We're going to meet with the whole team first," he said. "Everybody has to know what's going on. We'll focus on guys who are under consideration. It's not time to make that decision."

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