All Trojans

USC Trojans Best Defensive Players In History: Top Five Position Group Rankings

Part two of the all-time USC Trojans series is here and this installment focuses on the defense. Legends like Ronnie Lott, Troy Polamalu, and others headline a loaded group of Trojan greats.

Kyron Samuels

Jan 1, 2009; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans linebacker Brian Cushing (10) celebrates after the Trojans' 38-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2009; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans linebacker Brian Cushing (10) celebrates after the Trojans' 38-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In this story:

The second installment of the USC all-time rankings will be focused on the defensive side of the ball. Admittedly, this half was far tougher to sift through and put into order. As accomplished as the offensive players have been, the list wasn’t nearly as difficult to whittle down. 

The depth of the defensive field made it nearly impossible to truly choose. The safety position for example, how can a four-time All-American not be in the top two greatest players for that position? That’s how incredibly stacked the position group is. 

As per the last rankings, NFL success was not used as a differentiator, but it was hard to leave an All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler off like Jurrell Casey in the defensive line group. 

Just to clarify, there’s no specific requirement for the coaching section. Position coach, coordinator, or head coach, just the best coaches on the defensive side. Let’s get into it. 

Defensive Tackles:

USC DL Shaun Cody
Sept. 11, 2004; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern Cal defensive lineman Shaun Cody (#84) gets double teamed by Clint Oldenburg (#71) and Albert Bimper (rear) during the Trojans' 49 - 0 win over Colorado State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; Mandatory credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
  1. Leonard Williams 
  2. Shaun Cody
  3. Mike Patterson
  4. Sedrick Ellis
  5. Darrell Russell

Defensive End/EDGE:

USC DE Lawrence Jackson
Nov 10, 2007; Berkeley, CA; USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Lawrence Jackson (96), right, is congratulated by Sedrick Ellis after a fourth-quarter fumble reception in the fourth quarter of 24-17 victory over California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
  1. Willie McGinest
  2. Kenechi Udeze
  3. Lawrence Jackson
  4. Frostee Rucker
  5. Nick Perry

Linebackers:

USC LB Lofa Tatupu
Jan 4, 2005; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Pete Carroll hugs Lofa Tatupu after 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the FedEx Orange Bowl in the BCS National Championsihip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
  1. Junior Seau
  2. Lofa Tatupu
  3. Chris Claiborne 
  4. Rey Maualuga
  5. Brian Cushing

Safeties:

USC S Taylor Mays
January 1, 2009, Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Taylor Mays (2) and cornerback Kevin Thomas (15) collide while tackling Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jordan Norwood (24) during the 2009 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. The Trojans defeated the Nittany Lions 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Jody Gomez-Imagn Images / Jody Gomez-Imagn Images
  1. Troy Polamalu
  2. Ronnie Lott
  3. Taylor Mays
  4. Mark Carrier
  5.  Dennis Thurman/Tim McDonald

Cornerbacks:

USC CB Jason Sehorn
Sep 4, 1993; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Southern California Trojans defensive back Jason Sehorn (18) in action against the Houston Cougars at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-Imagn Images / Long Photography-Imagn Images
  1. Adoree' Jackson
  2. Joey Browner
  3. Will Poole
  4. Terrell Thomas
  5. Jason Sehorn

Defensive Coaches:

USC Coach Ed Orgeron
Mar 22, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive line coach Ed Orgeron at spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
  1. Pete Carroll
  2. Monte Kiffin
  3. Ed Orgeron
  4. Nick Holt
  5. Clancy Pendergast

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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