The 15 best USC football players who were never All-Americans

DB Joey Browner (1979-1982)

How outrageous is it that Joey Browner was never an All-American at USC? The Pac-12 named him to the conference’s All-Century team in 2015. Granted, they cheated just a bit by fitting him into the cornerback position.

To be fair, Browner did get his start at cornerback. He started for two seasons for the Trojans in that spot in 1980 and 1981. As a junior he led the team with 16 pass breakups while also bringing in three interceptions.

However, Browner’s best season as a Trojan came as a safety, where he moved for his final campaign in 1982. He commanded the secondary and led the team as a captain, intercepting four passes and returning two of them for touchdowns. He was also an effective return man for USC.

For his efforts, Browner was named USC’s MVP and voted an all-conference first teamer. The AP gave him a third team All-American nod, but first team honors went to Clemson’s Terry Kinard, Georgia’s Terry Hoage and ASU’s Mike Richardson

As often happens, appreciation for Browner’s career was solidified by his NFL accomplishments.

The Minnesota Vikings picked him up in the first round of the 1982 NFL draft and he rewarded them with a stellar pro career. He was a three-time All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler.