Greatest player in USC Trojan history

The DiB · 05-16-11, 10:30 AM

If Leinart beat VY in the Rose Bowl, it would probably be him. 2.5 championships and a Heisman is pretty impressive. Would go with Marcus Allen now.

mlb · 05-16-11, 08:45 PM

Reggie!!!!

bruce_outside · 05-16-11, 11:12 PM

the killer.

RPP · 05-16-11, 11:41 PM

So hard to say so many good players. I like Leinart.

Wrecktangle · 05-17-11, 08:24 AM

Has to be OJ. Interesting that his skill never translated into championships at Buffalo.

BigdaddyQH · 05-17-11, 09:35 AM

I have seen every person on that list play, and it is impossible to single one out. O.J. had the best talent. No question there. Marcus Allen could have been the greatest had he not played his first year as a FB blocking for Charles White. Leinart/Bush also had Lendale White in that threesome, and White was a huge part of the success for the other two. Do not forget Lynn Swan, or some of the great Defensive players USC has had. Remember Ronnie Lott, considered by many to be the best DB ever in the NFL, also was an All American at USC.

WorkHorse · 05-18-11, 12:34 AM

I was waiting for some Trojan guy to mention Allen as a BLOCKER early in his career at USC. This is why I love this guy. The total football player: Run, Block, Catch.....Allen was that and in my opinion as good as anyone who ever played at Southern Cal.

That Trojan loyal was BigDaddy.....he knows USC football like I know Alabama football. Don't mean we won't differ on good players....................Allen for me and I sticking to it.

Now ask me about the University of Alabama's best player?

wookieehumper · 05-18-11, 07:09 AM

Reggie bush. The guy was electrifying, and USC would have 0 titles in the past decade w/o him

Wrecktangle · 05-18-11, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by WorkHorse

Now ask me about the University of Alabama's best player?

Kenny "Snake" Stabler...

We are talking about "playaz" right? As his ability to party was legendary.

BTW I played against him...in high school and I was at the only game where Fairhope beat Foley (Foley HS, Alabama) in his high school career (his record was 29-1 while there).

Unfortunately, Auburn (Shug Jordan) couldn't recruit him. But if you were recruited by Bear Bryant, you'd have been a fool to not go there.

WorkHorse · 05-19-11, 07:14 AM

Wreck, Ken Stabler was definently one of the great ones at Alabama.

My favorite Alabama player would probably be middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (1960-62). Jordan was a great player for Bear Bryant. Most people don't know this but in 1962 he finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy voting.

The BEST player I ever saw play at Bama was guard John Hannah (1970-72). All-SEC, All-American, member of Alabama's Team of the Century, won Jacobs Award as SEC's best blocker, made ESPN's all-time college football team. He went on to have a great career with the New England Patriots. I talked with John a few weeks ago and the old guy looks like he could still play.

Wrecktangle · 05-19-11, 08:05 AM

Jordan and Hannah were indeed two of Bear's greatest recruits.

BTW, I consider The Bear to be College Football's greatest coach. A fair and thoughtful man, knew how to get the best out if his players. Among the absolute best at putting together a game plan. Always in the national title hunt.

WorkHorse · 05-19-11, 08:41 AM

Wreck, I agree 100 percent about Coach Bryant.

He was 323-85-17 as a college head coach (Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Alabama) At Alabama, he won 232-46-9 with 14 SEC titles and 6 National titles.

Somehow, he got the best out of those little Alabama boys.

BigdaddyQH · 05-19-11, 09:07 AM

What strikes me as rather tragic is that when you ask the average college football fan who was the best player at Alabama, they answer Joe Willie (Joe Namath), who really did nothing in his entire football career except win one Superbowl (that his defense and running game actually won for the Jets). To me, Alabama was always about their strong defenses. They would come up with the occasional good QB, but their defenses have always led the way. In the last three years, all of Alabama's defeats have come when the defense has allowed 24 or more points. They have allowed 31 or more in 3 of those 5 defeats.

WorkHorse · 05-19-11, 09:35 AM

BD, Joe Namath (1962-64) could have been a great player for Alabama but he played on one leg for two seasons after injuring his knee. Namath was a really good athlete and could have played basketball and baseball at the university (until he tore up a knee).

bornselling · 05-19-11, 11:04 PM

Reggie Bush, RB, 2003-05

Wrecktangle · 05-20-11, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by WorkHorse

BD, Joe Namath (1962-64) could have been a great player for Alabama but he played on one leg for two seasons after injuring his knee. Namath was a really good athlete and could have played basketball and baseball at the university (until he tore up a knee).

Namath (and I agree, did all this on bad legs) set several league passing records in the AFL and NFL not to mention run the offense that controlled the game in won SB III. If he hadn't had the knee injury, I'm convinced he would have gone down as perhaps the best player ever at QB in the NFL, Otto Graham included.

Folks forget, during the turbulent 60s & 70s, the Alabama football team brought some measure of respect to a state that was widely despised due to racial sh*t. The Bear was on the forefront of pushing the university to allow black athletes to play there.

This is why, even though I went to Auburn, I will always have a deep sense of respect for Bear Bryant. He was a nobel opponent, good for the game, good for the state, good for his players. Frankly, whenever he took on non-SEC opponents, and beat the crap outta them, it made most of us pretty happy: "the Bear just beat the snot outta another one of those damn yankee teams, good on him."

WorkHorse · 05-22-11, 01:47 AM

Wreck, many...most who read this don't have a clue about the history of Coach Bryant and Coach Jordan...and certainly don't understand the passion of folks here in Alabama concerning yesteryear college football and these two schools. I love the great memories of both Bama and Auburn. Two great schools and two great football programs over the years. I'm proud of both of them.

You and I my friend are a little more seasoned than most here at SBR.....(we will try to keep up with the young guns.)

Wreck, you have the respect of the Muleriders....we recognize good people.

Socrates · 05-23-11, 12:48 PM

Pro careers aside, it has to be Reggie Bush. A true beast on the field.

BigdaddyQH · 06-11-11, 02:15 PM

Gun to head, O.J. was the best. I saw him singlehandedly defeat a very good (undefeated and #1 at the time) UCLA team on a 64 yard run on a 3rd and 15. He had the most talent by far, of any player in his day. He led USC to a N.C. Marcus Allen was certainly the best all around player that USC has ever had. He could do it all. Run, catch, and block. Bush was very good, but had Lendale White in the backfield with him. People forget how good White was in college, because of his terrible pro career.

RPP · 06-11-11, 07:54 PM

That's a good thought Bigdaddy.

stevenash · 06-11-11, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by bruce_outside

the killer.

+1
Had an insane college career, would break 50 yarders with ease.

valaub04 · 06-12-11, 09:23 AM

WH - my guess was right on Lee Roy Jordan.

For USC I've gotta go with Allen.

ZBOIZ · 06-12-11, 09:24 AM

Bush had to be one of the most electrifying players that ever put on a USC jersey

BigdaddyQH · 06-12-11, 09:47 AM

Bush had all of the moves, but lacked the size to get the tough yards. That is why White was so important to the USC team. Simpson and Allen could get those tough yards.

HoulihansTX · 06-13-11, 01:00 AM

OJ Simpson greatest player, and criminal in USC history.

chunk · 06-13-11, 08:25 AM

OJ Simpson is a terrible person and a terrible golfer, but a great football player.