How many former USC players played in the Super Bowl?

Answer 1

Five players in this year's (2008) Super Bowl XLII alone are from USC, reinforcing an old adage that one of the best ways to win a Super Bowl is to have a Trojan on your team. There have been 92 in all Super Bowls combined. 11 are in the Hall of Fame, a record there, too.

For the winning NY Giants, it was rookie Steve Smith. For the 18-1 New England Patriots season they had Junior Seau, Tom Malone, Matt Cassel and another rookie, Oscar Lua -- showing just how NFL-ready Pete Carroll makes his players.

From Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn, SC class of 1981

Here's a USC Trojan paper USC Rips It article:

= Trojans in the NFL = With its outstanding football heritage, it's no surprise that USC usually has more players in the pros than any school.

At the start of training camp this summer, there were 41 ex-Trojans on National Football League rosters, including 7 rookies. In fact, USC players were on the rosters of 21 of the NFL's 32 teams. Most of the Trojans were defensive backs, offensive linemen, wide receivers or running backs (5 each).

In 2006, there were 26 Trojans on opening day NFL rosters; only 11 universities had more players (since records were made available, USC has been No. 1 in 17 of the last 30 years).

Overall, USC has produced 436 NFL draft picks (plus 28 by the AFL before it merged with the NFL) and 408 players who since 1920 played in the NFL (or its sister leagues, the AFL or All-America Football Conference).

USC has had three of the most highly drafted classes in College Football history. The 1953 class (following the 1952 season) had 15 players drafted while both the 1975 and 1977 classes had 14 players selected. USC has had more first round NFL draft picks (67) than any school (Ohio State is next with 63). USC had more players selected in the 2006 draft (11) than any school. USC had the most picks of any school in the 1990 NFL draft, with 10. USC's 12 first round picks in the 1990s tied for third most in the nation with Tennessee (behind Ohio State's 15 and Florida State's 13); 8 of those Trojan first rounders were selected in the Top 10. In the decade of the 1980s, Troy had more first round picks than any school (16). USC's 5 first round picks in the 1968 draft was an NFL record that lasted 36 years. USC is tied with Notre Dame for most players (5) selected as the top pick of the NFL draft (Ron Yary in 1968, O.J. Simpson in 1969, Ricky Bell in 1977, Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 and Carson Palmer in 2003). USC is the only school to have the No. 1 pick for 2 consecutive years (Yary and Simpson).

At least 1 Trojan has appeared in all but 3 of the 41 Super Bowls (there have been 92 USC representatives overall). Two Trojans (Lynn Swann in 1976 and Marcus Allen in 1984) have been the Super Bowl MVP. In 1977, 9 USC alums played in the Super Bowl. And Trojans have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl 201 times.

Eleven former USC players (more than any other school) and 3 ex-assistant coaches are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott were selected on the NFL's All-Time Team in August 2000, as chosen by the 36 Pro Football Hall of Fame voters.

A December 1999 story in The Sporting News listed 4 Trojans among the 100 Greatest Pro Football Players: Anthony Munoz (17th), Ronnie Lott (23rd), O.J. Simpson (26th) and Marcus Allen (72nd).

Anthony Munoz was picked among the NFL's Top 10 players of the 20th century by SPORT in 1999.

In December 1999, the Dick Butkus Football Network named a pair of ex-Trojans on its NFL All-Century First Team: Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott.

A January 1999 article in ESPN Magazine says that "one of the best ways to win a Super Bowl is to (have a USC player on the team). The alma mater most often represented on winning teams is USC (45 players). Lagging behind: Notre Dame (38) and Penn State (35)."

A Dec. 13, 1999 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which examined Pro Bowl selections since 1950 to determine the schools that have supplied the most pro players at various positions, found that USC had the most Pro Bowl selections (162, more than Notre Dame's 135 and Ohio State's 122) and produced more Pro Bowl running backs and safeties than anyone.

A May 1999 SPORT magazine article pointed out that USC sent more players to the Pro Bowl in the 1990s (14) than any other school. "The most measurable sign of a player's success--and thus his pedigree--comes in the form of the NFL's highest annual honor: the Pro Bowl. It's not enough to make it to the league, you've gotta make it in the league." In the article, then-New York Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the former USC All-American, said: "USC is a football factory. Every kid in L.A. grows up wanting to play there, and the coaches know how to translate that into elite athletes."

In a Dec. 1994 College Sports magazine ranking of the schools which have been the top sources over the years of football talent by position (on a combined college and NFL level), USC was listed first at running backs, offensive linemen and defensive backs, and third at linebackers.

In a 1985 Sports Illustrated poll of NFL player personnel directors, USC was ranked first overall among all schools in preparing college players for the pros. By position, USC received top marks for running backs, offensive linemen and tight ends. USC Players in the NFL in 2007:

Arizona Cardinals * Matt Leinart, QB * Taitusi Lutui, G * Justin Wyatt, CB

Carolina Panthers * Keary Colbert, WR * *Dwayne Jarrett, WR * *Ryan Kalil, C

Cincinnati Bengals * Gregg Guenther, TE * Carson Palmer, QB * Frostee Rucker, DE

Cleveland Browns * Fred Matua, G * Willie McGinest, LB

Denver Broncos * Jacob Rogers, T

Detroit Lions * Shaun Cody, DT

Green Bay Packers * *Ryan Powdrell, FB

Houston Texans * John Walker,CB

Indianapolis Colts * Scott Ware, S

Minnesota Vikings * Norm Katnik, C * Kenechi Udeze, DE

New England Patriots * Matt Cassel, QB * *Oscar Lua, LB * Tom Malone, P * Junior Seau, LB

New Orleans Saints * Reggis Bush, RB * Billy Miller, TE

New York Giants * *Steve Smith, WR

Oakland Raiders * Darnell Bing, LB * William Buchanon, WR * Justin Fargas, RB * *Chris McFoy, WR * Kris Richard, DB * Mike Williams, WR

Philadelphia Eagles * Winston Justice, T * Mike Patterson, DT * LaJuan Ramsey, DT

Pittsburgh Steelers * Troy Polamalu, S

St. Louis Rams * Dominique Byrd, TE

Seattle Seahawks * David Kirtman, FB * Lofa Tatupu, MLB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers * Brian Kelly, CB

Tennessee Titans * LenDale White, RB

Washington Redskins * *Dallas Sartz, LB

*2007 Rookie

Answer 2

Through Super Bowl XLIII:

1) WR Stephen Baker, New York Giants - caught 2 passes for 31 yards and 1 TD in Super Bowl XXV.
2) WR Bernard Berrian, Chicago Bears - caught 4 passes for 38 yards in Super Bowl XLI.
3) G Logan Mankins, New England Patriots - starting left guard in Super Bowl XLII.
4) FB Lorenzo Neal, Tennessee Titans - reserve in Super Bowl XXXIV. Did not get any carries or pass receptions.
5) RB Michael Pittman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - had 29 rushes for 124 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII.

6) QB Trent Dilfer, Baltimore Ravens - threw for 153 yards, 1 TD and 0 Int's against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.

Answer 3

None. ---- Through Super Bowl XLIII, no USC QB has started a Super Bowl and won ... no USC QB has started a Super Bowl and lost, either. The only USC QB with a Super Bowl ring is Rob Johnson who was the backup QB to Brad Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. He did not play in the game.

Answer 4

There have been 44 USC Alumni who have won Super Bowl rings. They are:

Super Bowl XLVII, 2012 Baltimore Ravens

None

Super Bowl XLVI, 2011 New York Giants

None

Super Bowl XLV, 2010 Green Bay Packers

LOLB Clay Matthews USC

Super Bowl XLIV, 2009 New Orleans Saints

RDT Sedrick Ellis USC

RB/PR Reggie Bush USC

Super Bowl XLIII, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

SS Troy Polamalu USC

Super Bowl XLII, 2007 New York Giants

WR Steve Smith USC

DT Manuel Wright USC

Super Bowl XLI, 2006 Indianapolis Colts

LG Dylan Gandy Texas Tech

Super Bowl XL, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers

SS Troy Polamalu USC

Super Bowl XXXIX, 2004 New England Patriots

LOLB Willie McGinest USC

Super Bowl XXXVIII, 2003 New England Patriots

LOLB Willie McGinest USC

Super Bowl XXXVII, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LCB Brian Kelly USC

QB Rob Johnson USC

WR Keyshawn Johnson USC

DB David Gibson USC

Super Bowl XXXVI, 2001 New England Patriots

LOLB Willie McGinest USC

Super Bowl XXXV, 2000 Baltimore Ravens

None

Super Bowl XXXIV, 1999 St. Louis Rams

None

Super Bowl XXXIII, 1998 Denver Broncos

None

Super Bowl XXXII, 1997 Denver Broncos

None

Super Bowl XXXI, 1996 Green Bay Packers

RLB Brian M. Williams USC

OT Ken Ruettgers USC

LT John Michels USC

LB Lamont Hollinquest USC

Super Bowl XXX, 1995 Dallas Cowboys

None

Super Bowl XXIX, 1994 San Francisco 49ers

SS Tim McDonald USC

RG Derrick Deese USC

Super Bowl XXVIII, 1993 Dallas Cowboys

TE Scott Galbraith USC

Super Bowl XXVII, 1992 Dallas Cowboys

None

Super Bowl XXVI, 1991 Washington Redskins

RB Ricky Ervins USC

Super Bowl XXV, 1990 New York Giants

LB Larry McGrew USC

Super Bowl XXIV, 1989 San Francisco 49ers

SS Ronnie Lott USC

OG Jeff Bregel USC

Super Bowl XXIII, 1988 San Francisco 49ers

SS Ronnie Lott USC

OG Jeff Bregel USC

LILB Riki Ellison USC

Super Bowl XXII, 1987 Washington Redskins

None

Super Bowl XXI, 1986 New York Giants

None

Super Bowl XX, 1985 Chicago Bears

RT Keith Van Horne USC

Super Bowl XIX, 1984 San Francisco 49ers

SS Ronnie Lott USC

LILB Riki Ellison USC

Super Bowl XVIII, 1983 Los Angeles Raiders

RB Marcus Allen USC

ROLB Rod Martin USC

C/G Don Mosebar USC

Super Bowl XVII, 1982 Washington Redskins

None

Super Bowl XVI, 1981 San Francisco 49ers

SS Ronnie Lott USC

TE Charlie Young USC

Super Bowl XV, 1980 Oakland Raiders

ROLB Rod Martin USC

WR Bob Chandler USC

LB Mario Celotto USC

Super Bowl XIV, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Lynn Swann USC

G/T Gerry Mullins USC

Super Bowl XIII, 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Lynn Swann USC

RG Gerry Mullins USC

Super Bowl XII, 1977 Dallas Cowboys

None

Super Bowl XI, 1976 Oakland Raiders

RT John Vella USC

LCB Skip Thomas USC

QB Mike Rae USC

DB Charlie Phillips USC

RB Manfred Moore USC

LILB Willie Hall USC

RB Clarence Davis USC

Super Bowl X, 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Lynn Swann USC

RG Gerry Mullins USC

Super Bowl IX, 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Lynn Swann USC

RG Gerry Mullins USC

Super Bowl VIII, 1973 Miami Dolphins

None

Super Bowl VII,1972 Miami Dolphins

None

Super Bowl VI, 1971 Dallas Cowboys

None

Super Bowl V, 1970 Baltimore Colts

LB Ray May USC

Super Bowl IV, 1969 Kansas City Chiefs

HB Mike Garrett USC

Super Bowl III, 1968 New York Jets

None

Super Bowl II, 1967 Green Bay Packers

PR Willie Wood USC

Ben Wilson USC

Super Bowl I, 1966 Green Bay Packers

PR Willie Wood USC