Posted on June 12, 2022
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It was hard to cut this list to 12 and there are some young DBs in the league right now from the Conference whom I think will crack it eventually.
Let’s start counting down some serious NFL all-time greats…

1. Ronnie Lott, USC
The former Trojan is one of the greatest players in NFL history at any position. Eight first-team All-Pros, Hall of Fame, and four Super Bowl wins are just part of his resume.
2. Troy Polamalu, USC
One of the absolute stars of his time and one of the greatest NFL safeties of all time. He racked up All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls and made the All-2000s team and won an NFL Defensive MVP in 2010.
3. Larry Wilson, Utah
Wilson had an insane career with the Cardinals in the 60s and 70s, making the All-Decade Teams in both.He’s a Hall of Famer, won Defensive MVP in 1966, and made endless All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams.

4. Mel Renfro, Oregon
The Hall of Famer won two Super Bowls and finished his career as one of the best DBs of his era.He took home double-digit Pro Bowl honors and big-time All-Pro honors while finishing his career with more than 50 interceptions.

5. Mike Haynes, Arizona State
Another Hall of Fame lockdown corner who had around 50 interceptions in his career. He made nearly 10 All-Pro teams and was a star with the Patriots and Raiders.
6. Willie Wood, USC
A Hall of Famer with the Packers in the 60s and 70s, he made the All-60s Team. He also made nine All-Pro Teams and won five NFL championships in his career.
7. Jimmy Johnson, UCLA
The former Bruin made the All-70s Decade Team and was a long-time star with the 49ers. He’s a Hall of Famer and made eight All-Pro Teams.
8. John Lynch, Stanford
One of the best recent safeties in NFL history, he’s already in the Hall of Fame. He won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and made nine All-Pro teams.
9. Richard Sherman, Stanford
Sherman was one of the league’s best corners for years and will be headed to the Hall of Fame.He helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl in a big way and made the 2010s All-Decade team while taking home several All-Pro honors.

10. Eric Weddle, Utah
His incredible career spanned almost 15 seasons and he seems like another Hall of Famer. He made several All-Pro Teams and Pro Bowls and is one of the best players even on this list at being elite against the run and pass.11. Joey Browner, USC
12. Carnell Lake, UCLA
13. Kenny Easley, UCLA
14. Tim McDonald, USC
15. Dennis Smith, USC
—More from Jack Follman—
- 2022 SuperWest Preseason Pac-12 All-Northwest Teams
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 Top 50 Players (10-1)
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 Top 50 Players (11-20)
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Top 50 Pac-12 Players (30-21)
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Top 50 Pac-12 Players (40-31)
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Top 50 Pac-12 Players (50-41)
- Jack Follman’s Pac-12 DB Unit Ranking for 2022
- Jack Follman’s Pac-12 Linebacker Unit Ranking for 2022
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 DL Unit Ranking
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Line Unit Ranking
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 WR/TE Unit Ranking
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 QB/RB Rankings
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 DB Rankings
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 Linebacker Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time Linebackers based on NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 DL Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time DL based on NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 OL Rankings
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 TE Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time OL based on NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 WR Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time Conference TEs by NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 RB Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time Conference WRs by NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s 2022 Preseason Pac-12 Quarterback Rankings
- Jack Follman’s All-Time Conference RBs by NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s All-Time Conference QBs by NFL Success
- Jack Follman’s Greatest Teams from Current Pac-12 Schools
- Jack Follman’s All-Time HCs from Current Pac-12 Schools
- Jack Follman’s All-Time DBs from Current Pac-12 Schools
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2022 SuperWest Preseason Pac-12 All-Northwest Teams
Best players and coach from Oregon, OSU, Washington, and WSU for 2022, two teams deep - July 13, 2022 -
Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 Top 50 Players (10-1)
Let’s finish our countdown of the Top 50 players in the Conference going into the 2022 season - July 13, 2022 -
Jack Follman’s 2022 Pac-12 Top 50 Players (11-20)
This penultimate group is particularly full of great offensive linemen who are neck-and-neck - July 7, 2022