USC Football’s All-Sanctions Era Team

DT: Jurrell Casey (2008-10)

The job of anchoring the defensive line for the All-Sanctions Era team goes to Jurrell Casey, who finished out his career on the 2010 bowl-banned squad.

Before sanctions, Casey had already made his mark for the Trojans. During his freshman year in 2008, he appeared in 12 games as a backup nose tackle on one of the greatest defenses in USC history. In 2009 he rose into the starting lineup at defensive tackle, landing a place on the All-Pac-10 honorable mentions list — Phil Steele even named him to his All-Pac-10 first team.

Despite that pre-sanctions success, the 305-pounder from Long Beach Poly earned his spot as a top lineman of the Sanctions Era thanks to an exceptional junior campaign in 2010.

Casey led USC with 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position, showing off his explosive ability to get into the backfield. He was named USC’s team MVP and Defensive Lineman of the Year while also making the All-Pac-10 first team.

There wasn’t much to celebrate on that 2010 team, which went an unremarkable 8-5, but Casey was a definite bright spot.

Backup: Antwaun Woods (2011-15)