Trojans in the Nfl
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TROJANS IN THE NFL With its outstanding football heritage, it’s no surprise that USC usually has more players in the pros than any school. USC Players in the NFL in 2006 At the start of training camp this summer, there were 41 ex-Trojans on National Football League rosters, including 16 rookies. In fact, USC players were ARIZONA CARDINALS on the rosters of 22 of the NFL’s 32 teams. Most of the Trojans were defensive *Matt Leinart, QB backs (11), defensive linemen (6), wide receivers (5) and running backs (5). *Taitusi Lutui, G In 2004, there were 24 Trojans on opening day NFL rosters; only 15 *Justin Wyatt, CB universities had more players (since records are available, USC has been No. 1 ATLANTA FALCONS in 17 of the last 30 years). Chris Cash, CB Overall, USC has produced 430 NFL draft picks (plus 28 by the AFL before CAROLINA PANTHERS it merged with the NFL) and 395 players who since 1920 played in the NFL (or its Keary Colbert, WR sister leagues, the AFL or All-America Football Conference). Keyshawn Johnson, WR USC has had three of the most highly drafted classes in college football CINCINNATI BENGALS history. The 1953 class (following the 1952 season) had 15 players drafted while Carson Palmer, QB both the 1975 and 1977 classes had 14 players selected. USC has had more first *Frostee Rucker, DE round NFL draft picks (67) than any school (Ohio State is next with 63). USC had CLEVELAND BROWNS more players selected in the 2006 draft (11) than any school. USC had the most Daylon McCutcheon, CB picks of any school in the 1990 NFL draft, with 10. USC's 12 first round picks in Willie McGinest, LB the 1990s tied for third most in the nation with Tennessee (behind Ohio State's 15 DETROIT LIONS and Florida State's 13); 8 of those Trojan first rounders were selected in the Top Shaun Cody, DT 10. In the decade of the 1980s, Troy had more first round picks than any school Kori Dickerson, TE (16). USC's 5 first round picks in the 1968 draft was an NFL record that lasted 36 *Fred Matua, G years. USC is tied with Notre Dame for most players (5) selected as the top pick Mike Williams, WR of the NFL draft (Ron Yary in 1968, O.J. Simpson in 1969, Ricky Bell in 1977, HOUSTON TEXANS Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 and Carson Palmer in 2003). USC is the only school *John Walker, CB to have the No. 1 pick for 2 consecutive years (Yary and Simpson). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS At least 1 Trojan has appeared in all but 2 of the 40 Super Bowls (there have Sammy Knight, S been 92 USC representatives overall). Two Trojans (Lynn Swann in 1976 and MIAMI DOLPHINS Marcus Allen in 1984) have been the Super Bowl MVP. In 1977, 9 USC alums Will Poole, CB played in the Super Bowl. And Trojans have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl Manuel Wright, DT 198 times. MINNESOTA VIKINGS Ten former USC players (tied with Notre Dame for most players represented) Kenechi Udeze, DE and 3 ex-assistant coaches are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott were selected on the NFL's All-Time Team Matt Cassel, QB in August 2000, as chosen by the 36 Pro Football Hall of Fame voters. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS A December 1999 story in The Sporting News listed 4 Trojans among the 100 *Reggie Bush, RB Greatest Pro Football Players: Anthony Munoz (17th), Ronnie Lott (23rd), O.J. NEW YORK GIANTS Simpson (26th) and Marcus Allen (72nd). Chad Morton, RB-KR Anthony Munoz was picked among the NFL's Top 10 players of the 20th NEW YORK JETS century by SPORT in 1999. Norm Katnik, C In December 1999, the Dick Butkus Football Network named a pair of ex- OAKLAND RAIDERS Trojans on its NFL All-Century First Team: Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott. *Darnell Bing, S A January 1999 article in ESPN Magazine says that "one of the best ways to *William Buchanon, WR win a Super Bowl is to (have a USC player on the team). The alma mater most Justin Fargas, RB often represented on winning teams is USC (45 players). Lagging behind: Notre PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Dame (38) and Penn State (35)." *Winston Justice, T A Dec. 13, 1999 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which examined Pro Mike Patterson, DT Bowl selections since 1950 to determine the schools that have supplied the most *LaJuan Ramsey, DT pro players at various positions, found that USC had the most Pro Bowl selections *Scott Ware, S (162, more than Notre Dame's 135 and Ohio State's 122) and produced more Pro PITTSBURGH STEELERS Bowl running backs and safeties than anyone. Troy Polamalu, S A May 1999 SPORT magazine article pointed out that USC sent more players ST. LOUIS RAMS to the Pro Bowl in the 1990s (14) than any other school. "The most measurable *Dominique Byrd, TE sign of a player's success--and thus his pedigree--comes in the form of the NFL's SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS highest annual honor: the Pro Bowl. It's not enough to make it to the league, *Tom Malone, P you've gotta make it in the league." In the article, then-New York Jets Pro Bowl Kris Richard, CB wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the former USC All-American, said: "USC is a SEATTLE SEAHAWKS football factory. Every kid in L.A. grows up wanting to play there, and the coaches Ryan Killeen, PK know how to translate that into elite athletes." *David Kirtman, FB In a Dec. 1994 College Sports magazine ranking of the schools which have Lofa Tatupu, LB been the top sources over the years of football talent by position (on a combined TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS college and NFL level), USC was listed first at running backs, offensive linemen Brian Kelly, CB and defensive backs, and third at linebackers. TENNESSEE TITANS In a 1985 Sports Illustrated poll of NFL player personnel directors, USC was Gregg Guenther, TE ranked first overall among all schools in preparing college players for the pros. By Grant Mattos, WR position, USC received top marks for running backs, offensive linemen and tight *LenDale White, RB ends. *2006 Rookie ALL-TIME NFL FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS (by school) 1. USC 67 2. Ohio State 63 3. Notre Dame 57 4. Miami (Fla.) 54 5. Texas 39 6. Michigan 38 Tennessee 38 8. Florida 35 Michigan State 35 10. Penn State 33 11. Alabama 32 Oklahoma 32 13. Nebraska 31 14. UCLA 28 15. LSU 27 2006 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE — PAGE 187 ALL-TIME TROJANS IN THE NFL Listing includes all players in the NFL, 1920-2005; the AFL, 1960-69; and Clark, Don, G, San Francisco 1948-49 the All-America Football Conference, 1946-49. List compiled by Beau Riffenburgh Clark, Monte, T, San Francisco 1959-61; Dallas 1962; Cleveland 1963-69 and Jim Gigliotti, NFL Properties (additional research by Mrs. C.A. Batchelder). Clarke, Leon, E, L.A. Rams 1956-59; Cleveland 1960-62; Minnesota 1963 Cleary, Paul, E, N.Y. Yankees 1948 — A — Clemens, Cal, B, Green Bay 1936 Achica, George, NT, Indianapolis 1985 Cobb, Garry, LB, Detroit 1979-84; Philadelphia 1985-87; Dallas 1988-89 Adams, Pete, G, Cleveland 1974, 1976 Cobb, Marvin, DB, Cincinnati 1975-79; Minnesota 1980; Pittsburgh 1980 Affholter, Erik, WR, Green Bay 1991 Cody, Shaun, DT, Detroit 2005 Allen, Marcus, RB, L.A. Raiders 1982-92; Kansas City 1993-97 Coia, Angelo, B-E, Chicago 1960-63; Washington 1964-65; Atlanta 1966 Allred, John, TE, Chicago 1997-2000; Pittsburgh 2002 Colbert, Keary, WR, Carolina 2004-05 Ane, Charley, T, Detroit 1953-59 Collier, Floyd, T, San Francisco 1948 Anno, Sam, LB, L.A. Rams 1987; Minnesota 1987-88; Tampa Bay 1989-92; Colorito, Tony, NT, Denver 1986 San Diego 1993 Conway, Curtis, WR, Chicago 1993-99; San Diego 2000-02; N.Y. Jets 2003; Anthony, Charles, LB, San Diego 1974 San Francisco 2004 Apsit, Marger, B, Frankford 1931; Brooklyn 1931; Green Bay 1932; Boston Cook, Rashard, S, Philadelphia 1999-2002 Redskins 1933 Cormier, Joe, LB, L.A. Raiders 1987 Arnett, Jon, B, L.A. Rams 1957-63; Chicago 1964-66 Cornwell, Fred, TE, Dallas 1984-85 Arrobio, Chuck, T, Minnesota 1966 Cotton, Marcus, LB, Atlanta 1988-90; Cleveland 1990; Seattle 1991 Audet, Earl, T, Washington 1945; L.A. Dons 1946-48 Cowlings, Al, DE, Buffalo 1970-72; Houston 1973-74; L.A. Rams 1975, 1977; Avery, Don, T, Washington 1946-47; L.A. Dons 1948 Seattle 1976; San Francisco 1979 Cox, Tom, T, L.A. Rams 1987 — B — Crane, Dennis, T-DT, Washington 1968-69; N.Y. Giants 1970 Badgro, Morris, E, N.Y. Yankees 1927; N.Y. Giants 1930-35; Brooklyn 1936 Crisman, Joel, G, Tampa Bay 1996 Bain, Bill, T, Green Bay 1975; Denver 1976, 1978; N.Y. Giants 1978; Crow, Lindon, DB, Chicago Cardinals 1955-57; N.Y. Giants 1958-60; L.A. Rams 1979-85; N.Y. Jets 1986; New England 1986 L.A. Rams 1961-64 Baker, Roy, B, N.Y. Yankees 1927; Green Bay 1928-29; Chicago Cardinals Cunningham, Sam, RB, New England 1973-79, 1981-82 1929-30; Stapleton 1931 Curley, August, LB, Detroit 1983-86 Banks, Chip, LB, Cleveland 1982-86; San Diego 1987; Indianapolis 1989-93 Bansavage, Al, G-LB, L.A. Chargers 1960; Oakland 1961 — D — Banta, Bradford, TE-SNP, Indianapolis 1994-99; N.Y. Jets 2000; Detroit Danahe, Dick, T, L.A.