Fansided

25 best Pac-12 football players of the last 25 years

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 5, 2005: Sam Baker, #79 offensive tackle of the University of Southern California Trojans football team makes the block against the Stanford University Cardinal on November 5, 2005 at the Los Angeles California Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Trojans won 51-21. (Photo by University of Southern California/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 5, 2005: Sam Baker, #79 offensive tackle of the University of Southern California Trojans football team makes the block against the Stanford University Cardinal on November 5, 2005 at the Los Angeles California Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Trojans won 51-21. (Photo by University of Southern California/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

16. Sam Baker, OL, USC

A cornerstone of USC’s incredible run from 2003 to 2007, Baker stands out as one of the most dominant Pac-12 offensive linemen of the era.

Baker was born in Tustin in Orange County and played for the local high school, which produced a number of future college and NFL players in the early 2000s. Just like so many other top recruits from California, Baker joined Carroll’s machine at USC and went on to put together a storied college career.

After redshirting to begin his career, Baker developed into USC’s best lineman by his sophomore season in 2005. Baker earned three straight first-team All-Conference and All-American nods from 2005-2007, becoming just the third player in USC’s legendary history to do so.

The Trojans compiled a record of 36-5 during Baker’s three-year run as the starting left tackle. Baker helped provide blocking for Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in 2005, as the Trojans averaged close to 50 points per game.

While Baker was selected 21st overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft, constant injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential.

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