TROJANS IN THE NFL
With its outstanding football heritage, it's no surprise that USC players have made quite a mark in the pros.
At the start of training camp this summer, there were 50 ex-Trojans on National Football League rosters, including 12 rookies. In fact, USC players were on the rosters of 28 of the NFL's 32 teams. Most of the Trojans were defensive linemen (10), linebackers (8), offensive linemen (8), running backs (6) or quarterbacks (5).
In 2008, there were 32 Trojans on opening day NFL rosters; only 8 universities had more players (since records were available, USC has been No. 1 in 17 of the last 33 years).
USC has produced 457 NFL draft picks--second to Notre Dame's 462--along with 28 by the AFL before it merged with the NFL and 426 players who since 1920 played in the NFL (or its sister leagues, the AFL or All-America Football Conference).
USC Players in the NFL in 2009
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Dominique Byrd, TE
Matt Leinart, QB
Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui, G
ATLANTA FALCONS
Sam Baker, T
BUFFALO BILLS
*Cary Harris, CB
*Gerald Washington, DE
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Dwayne Jarrett, WR
Ryan Kalil, C
CINCINNATI BENGALS
*Rey Maualuga, LB
Carson Palmer, QB
Keith Rivers, LB
Frostee Rucker, DE
CLEVELAND BROWNS
*Kaluka Maiava, LB
DALLAS COWBOYS
*David Buehler, PK
Matt Spanos, C
DETROIT LIONS
Darnell Bing, S
Keary Colbert, WR
GREEN BAY PACKERS
*Clay Matthews, LB
HOUSTON TEXANS
Shaun Cody, DT
*Brian Cushing, LB
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
*Fili Moala, DT
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Chauncey Washington, RB
Thomas Williams, LB
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Matt Cassel, QB
MIAMI DOLPHINS
*Patrick Turner, WR
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
John David Booty, QB
Drew Radovich, T
Kenechi Udeze, DE
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Tom Malone, P
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Reggie Bush, RB
Sedrick Ellis, DT
Billy Miller, TE
NEW YORK GIANTS
Steve Smith, WR
Terrell Thomas, CB
NEW YORK JETS
*Mark Sanchez, QB
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Justin Fargas, RB
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Winston Justice, T
Mike Patterson, DT
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Troy Polamalu, S
Ryan Powdrell, FB
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
*Kevin Ellison, S
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Chilo Rachal, G
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Lawrence Jackson, DE
David Kirtman, FB
Lofa Tatupu, LB
Kyle Williams, T
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
*Kyle Moore, DE
TENNESSEE TITANS
LaJuan Ramsey, DT
LenDale White, RB
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Fred Davis, TE
*2009 Rookie
