Jack Follman’s All-Time DL based on NFL Success

Not many great Pac-12 defensive linemen have translated into all-time greats in the NFL

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Posted on June 8, 2022


  By Jack Follman, SportsPac12

We’ve reached what is clearly the least-impressive group of former players from current Pac-12 schools in the NFL in the league’s history.

While there have been some great college defensive linemen in the Pac-12, not many have translated into all-time greats in the NFL.

There are still some great players and Hall of Famers though, so let’s get into it.

1. Haloti Ngata, Oregon

No questions here. Ngata is soon to be a Hall of Famer. He made five All-Pro Teams, five Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, and is one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles of all time.

2. Curley Culp, Arizona State

One of the few Pac-12 alum defensive linemen in the Hall of Fame. He was NFL Defensive MVP in 1975, made five All-Pro Teams, a bunch of Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl.

Cameron Jordan | Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports

3. Cameron Jordan, Cal

He’s seemed to get better and better as his career has gone on and looks like a future Hall of Famer.

He made the 2010s All-Decade Team, several All-Pro Teams, and Pro Bowls and has more than 100 sacks in his career.

4. Arnie Weinmeister, Washington

The former Husky is one of the few Pac-12 alums who have made the Hall of Fame. He got there by making four All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls in the 50s.

Keith Millard | Scott Halleran/Getty Images

5. Keith Millard, Washington State

Millard was crazy good in the 80s with the Vikings, making the NFL All-80s Team. He was NFL Defensive MVP in 1989 and made a handful of All-NFL Teams and Pro Bowls.

6. Jurrell Casey, USC

The former Trojan was one of the best DTs in the league for years. He made five Pro Bowls and was one of the best DTs in the NFL in the 2010s.

DeForest Buckner | coltswire.usatoday.com

7. DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Buckner has already made multiple All-Pro Teams and is one of the best DTs in the league. He’s going to end up much higher on this list when his career is over.

Charlie Johnson | Focus on Sports/Getty Images

8. Charlie Johnson, Colorado

Johnson had a great career with the Eagles and Vikings in the 70s and 80s and was one of the best DTs in the league at the time. He made a handful of All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls.

Everson Griffen | Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press

9. Everson Griffen, USC

He’s had a great 10-plus years in the league and made All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. He could finish his career with more than 100 sacks.

Darrell Russell | George Wolf/Tri-Valley Herald

10. Darrell Russell, USC

Russell had some great years in the late-90s with the Raiders, making two All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls as part of an overall really good career.

11. Alfred Williams, Colorado
12. Manny Fernandez, Utah
13. Andre Carter, Cal
14. Ben Davidson, Washington
15. Jim Jeffcoat, Arizona State