The storied USC football program has produced many incredible college players through the years, as their 7 Heisman Trophy winners will attest. Chief among them are the graduates of “Tailback U”, the cavalcade of great USC running backs.
5 Greatest Graduates of the USC Trojans Football Program:
Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen was college football’s first 2,000-yard rusher when he became USC’s fourth Heisman Trophy-winning tailback in 1981. He set or tied 16 NCAA records, including rushing for 200-plus yards in five consecutive games. He also starred in the NFL, and was the MVP of Super Bowl XVIII. He is a member of the USC, College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
O.J. Simpson
Most of America may remember him for (unsuccessfully) running away from police, but USC fans will always remember O.J. Simpson very successfully running away from opposing defenders, just like he did with his 64-yard game-winning TD run in the fourth quarter of the 1967 UCLA game. Arguably the greatest college and pro football running back ever, “The Juice” set single-season rushing records in both the NCAA and the NFL.
Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart was USC’s sixth Heisman Trophy winner (2004) and its first junior recipient. Leinart quarterbacked the Trojans through one of the most successful periods in the school’s illustrious history. The three-time All-American was 37-2 as a starter, guiding the Trojans to consecutive national championships in 2003-04. The USC graduate was the MVP of those championship games, the 2004 Rose Bowl and the 2005 Orange Bowl.
Reggie Bush
His Heisman Trophy may have been taken from him, but absolutely no one can take away Reggie Bush’s Heisman-worthy performances on the field for USC. The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner* was absolutely scintillating for the Trojans, and was instrumental in the back-to-back national championship-winning USC football teams. A threat from the ground, in the air and even in special teams, Reggie Bush was a worthy heir to the “Tailback U” tradition.
Mike Garrett
The one that started it all. Mike Garrett was the first of the vaunted “Tailback U”, the indelible trademark of USC Trojan football. He Mike Garrett was USC’s first ever Heisman Trophy winner in 1965, and paved the way for a whole line of outstanding running talent. A versatile athlete, he also started at cornerback for the Trojans and was also an All-League outfielder for USC’s baseball team (He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers).
Who are other Trojan greats which you think are on this list? Be sure to check out the latest odds and lines for the next game of USC and other college teams in our sportsbook. Game On!
