Think you know the NFL draft? Players in the Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl do.

Members of national champion Texas and runner-up Southern California were asked to be an NFL general manager for a day and rank Longhorn quarterback Vince Young and Trojan running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Matt Leinart.

Providing clarity in a draft that has three bonafide No. 1 picks was the goal of five Hula Bowl players assigned to play the GM roles of the Houston Texans (2-14), New Orleans Saints (3-13) and Tennessee Titans (4-12), who are scheduled to pick in that order of April's NFL draft.

Three Texas players — fullback Ahmard Hall, linebacker Aaron Harris and defensive tackle Larry Dibbles — felt two-time Rose Bowl MVP Young would be the first pick.

USC linebacker Collin Ashton and free safety Scott Ware felt Heisman Trophy winner Bush would go No. 1.

The five players developed their own criteria, ranging from playmaking, athletic ability and leadership to the teams' current personnel and marketing potential.

The players were confident in their selections, although Ashton swapped Young and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Leinart when he remembered that former USC assistant Norm Chow is the Titans offensive coordinator.

"I might take Leinart with the Titans," Ashton said. "Leinart would fit perfectly in that scheme. He knows everything."

Ashton and Ware felt the versatile Bush would be perfect for the Texans, who already have a franchise quarterback in David Carr.

"They're set there," Ware said. "I think they will and should take Reggie. You just can't pass up on a somebody like that. He's such a great athlete. You're going to kick yourself if you trade that spot."

Ashton said the Texans "might need a little speed off the edge, speed getting off the corner," and that's something Bush brings.

Ware picked Leinart with the No. 2 selection, saying, "he's an awesome field general. He makes all the checks. He's real smart, cool under pressure, plays hurt."

With the No. 3 pick, Ware picked Young, adding the disclaimer, "he could go either in the two spots ahead. He's such a great athlete, and a good quarterback, too."

As for the Texas players, picking Young No. 1 was easy. He has great athletic ability and marketing potential in his hometown of Houston, his teammates said.

"I would choose the best college football player ever — Vince Young," Harris said. "I've never seen anyone who could do the things he could do. He's very athletic and versatile. He could take our business to another level. He will do many things that we never thought was possible."

Said Dibbles: "I would try to get Vince Young in my backfield if I was Houston. First of all, he's going to make plays. Second of all, you might not have to get a new O-line with Vince Young. They might work together; be a cohesive unit."

With Young playing in Houston, "the ratings are going to be ridiculous, the jersey sales, the ticket sales are going to be crazy," Dibbles said. "If you think of it in the marketing perspective, that's just a good, all-around thing."

Added teammate Hall: "The town would be booming with bringing a hometown boy to revive the team."

Hall and Dibbles selected Leinart with the No. 2 pick, and Bush with the third pick.

Hall said the Saints already have a featured running back in Deuce McAllister, and added Leinart is "the best quarterback with the exception of Vince."

As for Bush, "he can do so much," Hall said. "You can line him up in the slot. He can run tailback. He's a return guy. He's so explosive with world-class speed. You definitely don't want to pass up on Bush."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.