USC's 1981 NFL draft first-round picks all made it big in the pros

USC football has had great NFL draft classes in terms of depth and first-round quality. USC has produced a 14-player NFL draft class. It has placed five players in the first round. The Trojans have produced No. 1 draft picks six times, once in back-to-back years. The program has delivered first-round picks in four straight years. In terms of overall NFL success, many USC football NFL draft classes can be cited. One which deserves to be specifically recognized: 1981.

USC placed three players in the top 15 of the 1981 NFL draft. They all were outstanding success stories in the NFL. All had strong careers and played in Super Bowls as starters. Ronnie Lott (pick No. 8) became an all-time NFL legend. Keith Van Horne (No. 11) was an offensive lineman who quietly played well for over a decade. Dennis Smith merits Hall of Fame consideration. Let's go into the details:

"Believe it or not, the 1981 class is the only one in USC history to produce a group of three first-round picks who all played in the Super Bowl. No other USC NFL Draft class can make this claim. The 1968 USC NFL Draft class had five first-round picks, but only two -- Ron Yary of the Minnesota Vikings and Mike Hull of the Washington Redskins -- played in the Super Bowl. Other classes with three or more players put no more than two players in the Super Bowl. The 1981 first-round class stands alone."

Get this: All three USC first-round picks from the 1981 NFL draft played at least 13 NFL seasons. Ronnie Lott went to the Hall of Fame. Dennis Smith played in six Pro Bowls. Keith Van Horne was part of the Chicago Bears' offensive line in their Super Bowl championship season of 1985.