USC's Mark Carrier III deserves College Football Hall of Fame recognition

When looking at the tradition and legacy that has been built at USC, players like Mark Carrier III have to be brought up and come to mind. Similar to fellow former Trojan Jeff Bregel, this will not be Carrier's first time listed on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

When the names were released by the National Football Foundation for the 2026 class, it provided yet another opportunity for the voters to correct a wrong. Carrier's play and impact on the game make it impossible to tell a complete story of the sport without mentioning his name.

Playing at USC during the late 80s, Carrier helped the Trojans win three Pac-10 championships and won the 1990 Rose Bowl in a 17-10 victory over Michigan.

Nicknamed 'Aircraft' for a reason, he had a tremendous nose for plucking the ball out of the air to give the ball back to the USC offense. When a ball carrier came anywhere close to Carrier, the other team's player paid the price.

In terms of football IQ and overall skill set, Carrier separated himself from the rest of college football. Case in point, the safety was the first USC player to win the Jim Thorpe Award, an honor reserved for the nation's best defensive back.

While Adoree' Jackson would go on to also grab the Jim Thorpe honor for himself and the program, it was Carrier who helped set the tone on the field and in terms of the Trojan legacy throughout his playing time in the late 80s.

What Carrier did beyond USC

Carrier would go on to have an NFL career that spanned across 10 years. His professional stops included the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and the then-called Washington Redskins.

In terms of effect on the sport and contributions while a student-athlete, Carrier is someone whom voters need to elect to the College Football Hall of Fame.