Trojans’ and Bruins’ connections with NFL run deep

Hall pass

There are 11 former USC players and four former UCLA players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are:

USC: Marcus Allen, Morris (Red) Badgro, Frank Gifford, Ronnie Lott, Ron Mix, Anthony Munoz, O.J. Simpson, Lynn Swann, Willie Wood, Ron Yary, Bruce Matthews.

UCLA: Troy Aikman, Tom Fears, Jim Johnson, Bob Waterfield.

Nine of note

Nine outstanding players from each school who are not in the Hall of Fame:

From USC:

Junior Seau: Prototype for modern linebacker, member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for 1990s.

Carson Palmer: Heisman Trophy winner is the centerpiece for turnaround of Cincinnati Bengals.

Willie McGinest: A defensive cornerstone of New England’s three Super Bowl champions.

Troy Polamalu: Pittsburgh’s mane man is widely regarded among the NFL’s best defenders.

Tony Boselli: First-ever pick of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars and the expansion Houston Texans.

Keyshawn Johnson: One of two receivers taken with the No. 1 pick in the NFL’s modern era.

Don Mosebar: All-Pro anchor of the Raiders offensive line was just the third center in franchise history.

Jack Del Rio: Spent 11 years as an NFL linebacker for five teams and now is coach at Jacksonville.

Joey Browner: Minnesota Vikings safety was selected to six Pro Bowls.

From UCLA:

Jonathan Ogden: Baltimore left tackle was a nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler.

Carnell Lake: Star safety finished his career with 25 sacks, 33 takeaways and five touchdowns.

Ken Norton Jr.: Linebacker won three consecutive Super Bowls -- two with Dallas, one with San Francisco.

Kenny Easley: Seattle safety was 1983 defensive player of the year and is on NFL’s All-Decade team for 1980s.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Jacksonville’s bowling-ball back currently leads NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns.

Donnie Edwards: Fourth-round pick of Kansas City intercepted 28 passes, four shy of NFL record for linebackers.

Don Rogers: 1984 defensive rookie of the year showed spectacular promise before his untimely death.

Freeman McNeil: Remarkably consistent tailback averaged at least 4.0 yards a carry in each of his 12 seasons.

Max Montoya: Four-time Pro Bowl guard for Cincinnati and Raiders played in both Bengals’ Super Bowls.

-- Sam Farmer