Has USC ever had a number 1 draft pick?

The University of Southern California's Trojans play in FBS, the NCAA, and the Big Ten Conference. They have a total of 11 claimed and six unclaimed national titles, four division titles, 37 conference titles and an all-time record of 875 wins, 368 defeats and 54 ties. Since 1888, their 30th coach is Lincoln Riley, with his second season as of April 2024.

Quarterback Caleb Williams, with his second year on the field, led the team to victory in four games in the 2023 season (against San Jose State, Nevada, Stanford, and Arizona State) by wide margins, scoring over 40 offensive points.

The next two games against Colorado and Arizona saw over 40 offensive points scored, but the teams' win margins were reduced to just seven and two points, which caused them to drop to #10. Following five consecutive losses, USC finished the season with an overall record of 7–5, a conference record of 5–4, and outside the top 25.

Williams was favored to win the Heisman Trophy for the second straight year going into the season, but he was disqualified going into December due to a poor second half of the season.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, USC had four selections; wide receiver Jordan Addison was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round and 23rd pick, while guard Andrew Vorhees was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round and 12th pick.

USC Trojans History

The USC Trojans, which were founded in 1888, have won over 860 games and 11 national championships, seven of which came from wire services (AP, Coaches'). Further, USC has 13 undefeated seasons, with eight perfect seasons.

In addition to producing the most NFL draft picks of any university ever—524—and eight Heisman Trophy winners, USC also has 84 first-team consensus all-Americans, including 27 unanimous selections.

Plus, 35 Trojans were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, including former players Matt Leinart, O. J. Simpson, and Ronnie Lott, as well as former coaches John McKay and Howard Jones.

The Trojans have the most inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 14 players, more than any other school; their notable alumni include Ron Yary, Marcus Allen, Bruce Matthews, and Junior Seau.

As of 2022, USC is tied with the University of Miami for the most wide receivers, 40, to play in the NFL and owns the record for the most quarterbacks, 17 among all colleges and universities.

Out of the 55 bowl appearances, 39 are for the New Year's Six Bowls for the Trojans. USC has the second-highest post-season winning percentage of any school with 50 or more bowl appearances and a record of 35–20.

USC Trojans No. 1 Draft Picks

The USC has a total of five No. 1 draft picks: Ron Yary (1968); O. J. Simpson (1969); Ricky Bell (1977); Keyshawn Johnson (1996); and Carson Palmer (2003).

There is a tie for the most first overall picks, with five each between Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Just two colleges have ever had the number one overall pick in back-to-back years: Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield in 2018; Kyler Murray in 2019; and USC's Ron Yary in 1968 and O.J. Simpson in 1969.