The USC Trojans are one of the most successful programs in college football history. In addition to winning 11 national championships and having the most Heisman Trophy winners with eight, USC has had more selections in the NFL Draft all-time than nearly every other school.
USC’s First Round NFL Draft Picks
Unknown date 2001; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Southern California quarterback Carson Palmer in action against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images | Imagn Images
There have been a total of 532 USC Trojans selected in the NFL Draft. This is the second-most among all schools. Only the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had more players drafted all-time with 539.
USC does however have the most No. 1 overall draft selections with six. As for the entire first round, USC has had 88 players selected dating back to the 1940 NFL Draft. USC wide receiver and 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon, who is currently projected as a mid-first round pick, will look to become the 88th at the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here are all 87 of USC’s previous first round picks with their year and position.
1940
Doyle Nave, B
Grenny Landsell, Half back
1942
Bobby Robertson, Center
1945
Jim Hardy, Quarterback
1946
Leo Riggs, B
1952
Frank Gifford, Half Back
1953
Al Carmichael, Half Back
1957
Jon Arnett, Half Back
1960
Ron Mix, Tackle
1961
Marlin McKeever, Linebacker
1964
Pete Beathard, Quarterback
1968
Ron Yary, Tackle
Mike Taylor, Tackle
Tim Rossovich, Linebacker
Mike Hull, Running Back
Earl McCullouch, Wide Receiver
1969
O.J. Simpson, Running Back
Bob Klein, Tight End
1970
Al Cowlings, Defensive End
Sid Smith, Center
1971
Marv Montgomery, Tackle
Tody Smith, Defensive End
1973
Charle Young, Tight End
Sam Cunningham, Running Back
Pete Adams, Guard
1974
Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver
Steve Riley, Tackle
Oct 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans athletic director Lynn Swann reacts during an NCAA football game against the Utah Utes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Utah 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
1977
Ricky Bell, Running Back
Marvin Powell, Tackle
Gary Jeter, Defensive End
1978
Clay Matthews, Linebacker
1980
Anthony Munoz, Tackle
Brad Budde, Guard
Charles White, Running Back
1981
Ronnie Lott, Defensive Back
Keith Van Horne, Tackle
Dennis Smith, Defensive Back
1982
Chip Banks, Linebacker
Marcus Allen, Running Back
Roy Foster, Guard
1983
Bruce Matthews, Guard
Joey Browner, Defensive Back
Don Mosebar, Center
1985
Duane Bickett, Linebacker
Ken Ruettgers, Tackle
1986
James FitzPatrick, Tackle
1988
Dave Cadigan, Guard
1990
Junior Seau, Linebacker
Mark Carrier, Defensive Back
1991
Pat Harlow, Tackle
Todd Marinovich, Quarterback
1993
Curtis Conway, Wide Receiver
1994
Wilkie McGinest, Defensive End
Johnnie Morton, Wide Receiver
1995
Tony Boselli, Tackle
1996
Keyshawn Johnson, Wide Receiver
John Michels, Tackle
Jun 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson poses for a photo on the red carpet for the “One Year to Go” for FIFA World Cup 26 event at FOX Studio Lot. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images | Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
1997
Darrell Russell, Defensive Tackle
1999
Chris Claiborne, Linebacker
2000
R. Jay Soward, Wide Receiver
2003
Carson Palmer, Quarterback
Troy Polamalu, Defensive Back
2004
Kenechi Udeze, Defensive End
2005
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver
Mike Patterson, Defensive Tackle
2006
Reggie Bush, Running Back
Matt Leinart, Quarterback
2008
Sedrick Ellis, Defensive Tackle
Keith Rivers, Linebacker
Sam Baker, Tackle
Lawrence Jackson, Defensive End
2009
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback
Brian Cushing, Linebacker
Clay Matthews, Linebacker
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews speaks during a press conference before the 2024 Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Matthews and former Packers defensive lineman Aaron Kampman were both inducted to the Hall of Fame on Thursday night. | Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK
2011
Tyron Smith, Tackle
2012
Matt Kalil, Tackle
Nick Perry, Defensive End
2015
Leonard Williams, Defensive End
Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver
2017
Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback
2018
Sam Darnold, Quarterback
2020
Austin Jackson, Tackle
2021
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Line
2022
Drake London, Wide Receiver
2023
Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver
2024
Caleb Williams, Quarterback
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