Written by Sarah Bergstrom, USC blog contributor
Quarterback "U"? Tight End "U"? Linebacker "U"? Many schools make claims to these titles, but who are the real ones? In an article published earlier this week, SBNation threw some statistics at the claims that many universities make regarding being the best at any number of positions on the football field. The ultimate school rankings were based on the number of first round NFL draft picks at each position from each school. While USC's claim to the title of "Tailback U" stands for other reasons, this form of measurement suggests Troy could also be dubbed "Offensive Line U" and the Trojans also should be strongly considered to reign at quarterback, linebacker and defensive line.
Here's the USC-related breakdown:
QB - In the last 10 years USC has had the most first round picks (3), with Auburn, Cal, Florida, and FSU tied at 2. In the last 50 years, the Trojans are tied with Cal at five.
OL - There's really no comparison with USC at the OL position in the past 50 years. The Trojans have had 22 first round draft picks while the next closest school, Ohio State, has had 14.
DL - USC is tied for first at five with Penn State and LSU in the last 10 years, but Miami leads the pack with 16 over the last half-century.
LB - The Trojans have been consistently strong in creating NFL LB's. In the last 10 years USC is tied for first with Miami with 3 first rounders. In the last 30 and 50 years the Trojans are tied with Ohio State and Alabama at first with eight and nine, respectively.
To see the full position by position breakdown click here.
While these statistics showed Oklahoma and Penn State leading the way at the RB position over the past 50 years, there's a reason USC is known nationally as the real Tailback "U". The Trojans have had 14 All-Americans (nine players) at the tailback position, but more importantly, USC has a legacy in the backfield that stretches back through time unlike any other. Names like Brown, Garrett, Simpson, Davis, Bell, White, and Allen bring back memories of USC's first Heisman trophy winners, epic national championship victories, and an offensive attack that could take on anyone.
