USC football had 25 representatives named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team, quintupling the selections by any other school in the conference.
Considering its rich history as a football power, USC’s dominance on the All-Century team should come as no surprise. Having said that, the sheer volume of Trojans selected — half of the available places — is still as impressive as the Pac-12’s 100-year anniversary. Arizona’s five selections were the next most by any team.
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Though Stanford’s John Elway earned Offensive Player of the Century honors, the Trojans took the other two major honors with Ronnie Lott named Defensive Player of the Century and John McKay named Coach of the Century.
Reggie Bush was the only player selected to two different positions, as a running back and first team returner.
In fact, USC’s swept the running back position, placing all five Heisman winners from the school on the team. There have been other great running backs in the conference, but arguing a snub is difficult when the likes of Marcus Allen, OJ Simpson, Charles White, Bush and Mike Garrett claimed the available spots.
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It was similarly crowded on the offensive line, where three of the five first team places are owned by Trojans — Ron Yary, Tony Boselli and Anthony Munoz. Brad Budde also earned a spot on the second team.
Three of the five receivers were Trojans as well with Keyshawn Johnson and Lynn Swann filling the first team and Marqise Lee represented on the second team.
With Matt Leinart was selected at quarterback, behind Elway, Marcus Mariota, Jim Plunkett and Andrew Luck, and tight end Charles Young selected as second string to Cal’s Tony Gonzalez, there are no offensive positions without Trojans picked.
On defense USC owns the linebacker and safety positions. Junior Seau and Lott claimed first team honors at their respective positions, backed up by Richard Wood and Chris Claiborne at linebacker and Troy Polamalu and Mark Carrier at safety.
Joey Browner was also named a first team cornerback.
Though defensive line was the only level of the first team defense without a Trojan representative, Leonard Williams did make the cut up front on the second team.
Here is the full Pac-12 All-Century Team:
Quarterbacks
John Elway, Stanford
Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Jim Plunkett, Stanford
Andrew Luck, Stanford
Matt Leinart, USC
Running Backs
Marcus Allen, USC
OJ Simpson, USC
Charles White, USC
Reggie Bush, USC
Mike Garrett, USC
Wide Receivers
Keyshawn Johnson, USC
Lynn Swann, USC
Marqise Lee, USC
JJ Stokes, UCLA
Ken Margerum, Stanford
Tight Ends
Tony Gonzalez, California
Charles Young, USC
Offensive Line
Jonathan Ogden, UCLA
Ron Yary, USC
Tony Boselli,USC
Anthony Munoz, USC
Lincoln Kennedy, Washington
Brad Budde, USC
Randall McDaniel, Arizona State
Defensive Ends
Tedy Bruschi, Arizona
Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
Willie McGinest, USC
Andre Carter, California
Jim Jeffcoat, Arizona State
Defensive Tackles
Steve Emtman, Washington
Haloti Ngata, Oregon
Rob Waldrop, Arizona
Leonard Williams, USC
Ed White, California
Linebackers
Junior Seau, USC
Jerry Robinson, UCLA
Ricky Hunley, Arizona
Richard Wood, USC
Chris Claiborne, USC
Cornerbacks
Joey Browner, USC
Mel Renfro, Oregon
Chris McAlister, Arizona
Antoine Cason, Arizona
Safeties
Ronnie Lott, USC
Kenny Easley, UCLA
Troy Polamalu, USC
Mark Carrier, USC
Kicker
Jason Hanson, Washington State
Punter
Tom Hackett, Utah
Returner
Reggie Bush, USC
Coach
John McKay, USC