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Pac-12 Pros Players in the NFL 

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

> Linebacker is one of the better groups of former players from current Pac-12 schools
, 4 min read
The late great Seau from USC is one of the undisputed greatest linebackers of all time. | SI Vault


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

June 10, 2022


Our rankings of players from current Pac-12 schools by position based on success in the NFL rolls on with a group filled with Hall of Famers as well as current and recent stars—linebackers.

Linebacker is one of the better groups of Pac-12 alums and loaded with names most football fans will know and a good group of players for various conference schools.

Let’s get started with one of the best players to ever play the position…

Junior Seau | Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
1. Junior Seau, USC
The late great Seau is one of the undisputed greatest linebackers of all time and one of the greatest Pac-12 alums at any position in NFL history.

Terrell Suggs | ravenswire.usatoday.com
2. Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
The Sun Devil great was one of the best defenders in the league for a lot of his super long career. He was a leader of two Super Bowl teams and a Defensive MVP in 2011.

Dave Wilcox | San Francisco 49ers
3. Dave Wilcox, Oregon
The former Duck is a Hall of Famer for his stellar play with the 49ers in the 60s and 70s. He made several All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls and was one of the best linebackers of his time.

Les Richter | David Boss/USA Today
4. Les Richter, Cal
Richter starred for the Rams in the 50s and 60s, making seven All-Pro Teams and eight Pro Bowls. An extremely tough player, he also played multiple positions at different times.

Clay Matthews | Mike Roemer/Associated Press
5. Clay Matthews III, USC
Matthews recently wrapped up a fantastic career mostly with the Packers. He won a Super Bowl and took home several All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while consistently being one of the best linebackers in the league.

Lance Briggs | NFL.com
6. Lance Briggs, Arizona
Briggs was one of the best linebackers in the league year after year with the Bears and one of the greatest Bears of all-time. He finished with more than 1,100 tackles and made seven Pro Bowls.

Ken Norton Jr. | Mercury News
7. Ken Norton Jr., UCLA
The Cowboy and 49er great won three Super Bowls and took home some All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his career. He finished his career with more than 1,200 tackles.

Chad Brown | 247Sports
8. Chad Brown, Colorado
Brown was a star for the Steelers and the Seahawks in the 90s, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. He finished his career with more than 1,000 tackles and nearly 80 sacks.

Ken Harvey | Getty Images
9. Ken Harvey, Cal
The former Bear was a star in the league in the 90s, taking in several All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He finished his career with more than 80 tackles and 80 sacks.

Rod Martin | Tony Tomsic/Associated Press
10. Rod Martin, USC
One of the best Raider linebackers of all time, Martin made several Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls. He had more than 30 sacks in his career.

11. Chip Banks, USC
12. Lofa Tatupu, USC
13. Tedy Bruschi, Arizona
14. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
15. Willie McGinest, USC

Jack Follman
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