Best NFL careers in USC football history

Troy Polamalu was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft after the Pittsburgh Steelers felt strongly enough about the safety to trade up from the 27th pick to the 16th just to get him. Polamalu was known for his style of play and his luscious hair on the field.

In all seriousness, Polamalu was an explosive safety on the field who knew how to get to the ball and wreak havoc. Polamalu did not see the field a lot during his rookie season not starting a single game and having lower stats, but after his rookie season, he started every game he was able to play in. In his second season, Polamalu had five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble 97 total tackles, and one sack. He was a Second-Team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl selection that season.

Polamalu continued to impress on the field with his best season coming in 2010 when he won Defensive Player of the Year with a career-high seven interceptions and one returned for a touchdown. In his career, which he spent entirely with the Steelers, Polamalu was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro selection. Polamalu was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.