Jack Follman’s All-Time DBs from Current Pac-12 Schools

Some of the best ballhawks in CFB have played in the Pac-12 along with some heavy hitters

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Posted on May 17, 2022


  By Jack Follman, SportsPac12

Since the Pac-12 has always had a track record for innovative passing offenses and legendary quarterbacks who can throw the ball around, it’s no surprise the conference also has a track record of legendary defensive backs.

Some of the best ballhawks in college football history have played in the Pac-12 along with some heavy hitters.

Let’s get into the best DBs to ever play in the conference and we’ll start with some household names. This group is another one that isn’t quite dominated by USC Trojans the way some of them are.

As always, these rankings are based solely on college accomplishments, without considering their NFL accomplishments.

1. Kenny Easley, UCLA

Easley was a three-time All-American and was a Heisman candidate in 1980 as a DB, which says a lot.

He was the first player to ever be All-Conference for four years and ended his career with 19 interceptions and over 300 tackles.

Chris McAllister | David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star

2. Chris McAllister, Arizona

One of the greatest lockdown corners to ever play the game. He was First-Team All-Conference all three years at Arizona and ended his career with 18 interceptions.

3. Ronnie Lott, USC

The legendary DB was legendary at USC for three years. He earned All-American honors, won a national championship, and was especially great in 1980 when he picked off eight passes at a time when teams passed way less.

Taylor Mays | Gary A.Vasquez/US Presswire

4. Taylor Mays, USC

Mays’ NFL struggles make people forget what a legend he was at USC. He was instantly one of the best DBs in the country as a freshman and racked up endless All-American and all-conference honors throughout his four years at USC.

Troy Polamalu | Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

5. Troy Polamalu, USC

Polamalu was one of the leaders instrumental in turning USC around from a flailing former power to the best program in the nation.

6. Mark Carrier, USC

Carrier was a two-time All-American and a Thorpe Award winner in 1989. He won the award for good reason in ’89 as he made more than 100 tackles and pulled down seven interceptions.

7. Mel Renfro, Oregon

One of the greatest NFL DBs of all-time, Renfro excelled at Oregon before going pro. A two-way star who earned multiple All-American honors, and became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

8. Mike Haynes, Arizona State

A College Football Hall of Famer who was a two-time All-American before going on to make the NFL Hall of Fame. One of the greatest Sun Devils at any position.

9. Deon Figures, Colorado

He was instrumental in Colorado winning a national title in 1990 and his career highlight was 1992, when he won the Thorpe and Jack Tatum Awards and took home All-American honors.

10. Chuck Cecil, Arizona

Cecil was a Pro Bowl safety in the NFL and before that was an all-time Wildcat great. He long held the conference record for interceptions with 21 and had an incredible season in 1987 where he won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

11. Lawyer Milloy, Washington
12. Darryl Lewis, Arizona
13. Mike Richardson, Arizona State
14. Budda Baker, Washington
15. Adoree’ Jackson, USC
16. Antoine Cason, Arizona
17. Deltha O’Neal, Cal
18. Daymeion Hughes, Cal
19. Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
20. Eric Weddle, Utah
21. Talanoa Hufanga, USC
22. Tim McDonald, USC
23. Marcus Trufant, Washington State
24. Mitch Meeuwsen, Oregon State
25. Lamont Thompson, Washington State