Mark Carrier (2007) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Mark Carrier

Induction:
2007
Class:
1990

Mark Carrier was USC’s first Thorpe Award winner, a trophy he won in 1989 as the nation’s top defensive back. Known for his ferocious hitting and keen ball-hawking, he was a 2-time (1988-89) All-American and All-Pac-10 first team safety. He intercepted 13 passes in his career, including 7 in 1989 to lead the Pac-10. The 3-year letterman (1987-89) left USC after his junior season and was the sixth pick of the 1990 NFL draft, chosen by the Chicago Bears. He played 11 years in the NFL, with the Bears (1990-96), Detroit Lions (1997-99) and Washington Redskins (2000). He was the NFL’s 1990 Defensive Rookie of the Year when he led the NFL in interceptions (10) and was a 3-time Pro Bowler. He then did some sports radio commentating before becoming an assistant coach at Arizona State and in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, then was a high school athletic director. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team.