{"id":865839,"date":"2026-04-14T00:03:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T00:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/865839\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T00:03:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T00:03:42","slug":"list-of-every-usc-first-round-pick-in-nfl-draft-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/865839\/","title":{"rendered":"List of Every USC First-Round Pick in NFL Draft History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The USC Trojans<\/a> 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<\/a> all-time than nearly every other school.\u00a0<\/p>\n

USC’s First Round NFL Draft Picks\"USC<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, who is currently projected as a mid-first round pick, will look to become the 88th at the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Here are all 87 of USC’s previous first round picks with their year and position. <\/p>\n

1940
Doyle Nave, B
Grenny Landsell, Half back<\/p>\n

1942
Bobby Robertson, Center<\/p>\n

1945
Jim Hardy, Quarterback<\/p>\n

1946
Leo Riggs, B<\/p>\n

1952
Frank Gifford, Half Back<\/p>\n

1953
Al Carmichael, Half Back<\/p>\n

1957
Jon Arnett, Half Back<\/p>\n

1960
Ron Mix, Tackle<\/p>\n

1961
Marlin McKeever, Linebacker<\/p>\n

1964
Pete Beathard, Quarterback<\/p>\n

1968
Ron Yary, Tackle
Mike Taylor, Tackle
Tim Rossovich, Linebacker
Mike Hull, Running Back
Earl McCullouch, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

1969
O.J. Simpson, Running Back
Bob Klein, Tight End<\/p>\n

1970
Al Cowlings, Defensive End
Sid Smith, Center<\/p>\n

1971
Marv Montgomery, Tackle
Tody Smith, Defensive End <\/p>\n

1973
Charle Young, Tight End
Sam Cunningham, Running Back
Pete Adams, Guard<\/p>\n

1974
Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver
Steve Riley, Tackle<\/p>\n

\"USC<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

1977
Ricky Bell, Running Back
Marvin Powell, Tackle
Gary Jeter, Defensive End<\/p>\n

1978
Clay Matthews, Linebacker<\/p>\n

1980
Anthony Munoz, Tackle
Brad Budde, Guard
Charles White, Running Back<\/p>\n

1981
Ronnie Lott, Defensive Back
Keith Van Horne, Tackle
Dennis Smith, Defensive Back<\/p>\n

1982
Chip Banks, Linebacker
Marcus Allen, Running Back
Roy Foster, Guard<\/p>\n

1983
Bruce Matthews, Guard
Joey Browner, Defensive Back
Don Mosebar, Center<\/p>\n

1985
Duane Bickett, Linebacker
Ken Ruettgers, Tackle <\/p>\n

1986
James FitzPatrick, Tackle<\/p>\n

1988
Dave Cadigan, Guard<\/p>\n

1990
Junior Seau, Linebacker
Mark Carrier, Defensive Back<\/p>\n

1991
Pat Harlow, Tackle
Todd Marinovich, Quarterback<\/p>\n

1993
Curtis Conway, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

1994
Wilkie McGinest, Defensive End
Johnnie Morton, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

1995
Tony Boselli, Tackle<\/p>\n

1996
Keyshawn Johnson, Wide Receiver
John Michels, Tackle<\/p>\n

\"USC<\/p>\n

Jun 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson poses for a photo on the red carpet for the \u201cOne Year to Go\u201d for FIFA World Cup 26 event at FOX Studio Lot. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images | Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1997
Darrell Russell, Defensive Tackle<\/p>\n

1999
Chris Claiborne, Linebacker<\/p>\n

2000
R. Jay Soward, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

2003
Carson Palmer, Quarterback
Troy Polamalu, Defensive Back<\/p>\n

2004
Kenechi Udeze, Defensive End<\/p>\n

2005
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver
Mike Patterson, Defensive Tackle <\/p>\n

2006
Reggie Bush, Running Back
Matt Leinart, Quarterback<\/p>\n

2008
Sedrick Ellis, Defensive Tackle
Keith Rivers, Linebacker
Sam Baker, Tackle
Lawrence Jackson, Defensive End<\/p>\n

2009
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback
Brian Cushing, Linebacker
Clay Matthews, Linebacker<\/p>\n

\"USC<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

2011
Tyron Smith, Tackle<\/p>\n

2012
Matt Kalil, Tackle
Nick Perry, Defensive End<\/p>\n

2015
Leonard Williams, Defensive End
Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

2017
Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback<\/p>\n

2018
Sam Darnold, Quarterback<\/p>\n

2020
Austin Jackson, Tackle<\/p>\n

2021
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Line<\/p>\n

2022
Drake London, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

2023
Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

2024
Caleb Williams, Quarterback<\/p>\n

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