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Anthony Munoz began one of USC's best NFL draft runs ever
TL;DR
USC football had a dominant NFL draft presence in the 1970s and 1980s, highlighted by Anthony Munoz starting a streak of first-round picks from 1980 to 1983. The Trojans produced notable players like Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen during this period.
Key points
- USC dominated the NFL draft in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Anthony Munoz started a streak of first-round picks in 1980.
- USC produced three first-round picks in four consecutive drafts.
Anthony MunozRonnie LottMarcus AllenJoey Browner
USC football owned the NFL draft in the 1970s and early 1980s. The Trojans had multiple double-digit classes in the mid-1970s. Then, in 1980, they began to dominate the draft once again. Let's remember what this program used to achieve at the NFL draft:
"In 2006 and 2009, the Trojans had 11 total draft picks, trailing only the class of 1977, which produced 14 total picks at a time when the draft stretched 12 rounds. In the modern era, the USC class of 2008 had the most first-rounders overall, with four. Only the 1968 class had more, with five first-rounders (including four picks in the top 16).
"USC also has one of the most impressive first-round runs in draft history. Starting with the 1980 draft, the Trojans produced three first-round picks in four consecutive drafts, led by legends such as Anthony Munoz, Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen."
Let's go over that last fact in a little more detail. USC had at least one first-round NFL draft pick from 1980 through 1983. In 1981, USC had three first-rounders. In 1982, it was the previous year's Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Allen. In 1983, it was Joey Browner. The man who got this streak started, however, was Anthony Munoz in 1980.
Munoz was injured for a large portion of the 1979 USC football season, but he returned for the 1980 Rose Bowl against No. 1 Ohio State and helped Charles White run for over 200 yards in a Trojan victory. That was enough to impress former Ohio State head coach Paul Brown, who was the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Imagine, in 2026, an offensive lineman who missed several games due to injury being picked in the top five of the NFL draft. That's just not the world we have today. Paul Brown, however, had faith in Anthony Munoz, and that faith was rewarded with two Bengal Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s.
From 1980 through 1983, USC football had a first-round NFL draft pick. Anthony Munoz got the ball rolling and -- alongside Ronnie Lott (1981) and Marcus Allen (1982) -- made sure that run of first-round picks led to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is one of the high points in USC football's storied connection to the NFL draft.
Q&A
What years did USC have consecutive first-round NFL draft picks?
USC had consecutive first-round NFL draft picks from 1980 through 1983.
Who were some notable USC players drafted in the first round during the 1980s?
Notable USC players drafted in the first round during the 1980s include Anthony Munoz, Ronnie Lott, and Marcus Allen.
How many total draft picks did USC have in 2006 and 2009?
USC had a total of 11 draft picks in both 2006 and 2009.
