If forced to choose the two best USC running backs of all time, one is forced to leave multiple Heisman Trophy winners off the all-time Trojan roster.
It’s simple math.
If you have a two-deep to fill out, that means only two of USC’s many Heisman-winning running backs can make the cut. Charles White, O.J. Simpson, Mike Garrett, Reggie Bush, and Marcus Allen have all won the Heisman as a USC running back. Guess what? Three of them have to be left off the list. That is the limitation of this roster.
We also had to make very tough choices on the offensive line. Sam Baker is undoubtedly one of the greatest offensive linemen USC has ever produced, but gosh, the 10 linemen picked in front of him had even better credentials in our eyes.
We didn’t enjoy leaving some great Trojans off this roster, but we had to. Enjoy and debate our selections in his special historical series at Trojans Wire.
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BACKUP OFFENSIVE LINEMAN NO. 1: RYAN KALIL
Actor Will Ferrell (L) and Ryan Kalil #67 of the USC Trojans celebrate a 23-9 win over the California Golden Bears during the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kalil’s utter dependability at center was impossible to overlook.
BACKUP OFFENSIVE LINEMAN NO. 2: BRAD BUDDE
Winning the Lombardi Award is a significant honor which has to be recognized with all-time-team-level status.
BACKUP OFFENSIVE LINEMAN NO. 3: DAVE BROWN
Dec 2, 1972; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Southern California Trojans running back Sam Cunningham (39) leaps over the pile against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Dave Brown was a starter on the 1972 USC offensive line. Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports
A centerpiece of the offensive line on what is USC’s greatest team of all time? Yep, that earns a spot on this roster for Brown.
BACKUP OFFENSIVE LINEMAN NO. 4: JEFF BREGEL
San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) uses teammate guard Jeff Bregel (65) as a step as he follows a block by guard Randy Cross (51) for a first down against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter of the game in San Francisco, Nov. 21, 1988….