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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1 JAN 1996: WIDE RECEIVER KEYSHAWN JOHNSON OF USC #3 HOLDS ONTO THE ROSE BOWL TROPHY AFTER USC DEFEATED NORTHWESTERN 42-32 AT THE ROSE BOWL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT
1 JAN 1996: WIDE RECEIVER KEYSHAWN JOHNSON OF USC #3 HOLDS ONTO THE ROSE BOWL TROPHY AFTER USC DEFEATED NORTHWESTERN 42-32 AT THE ROSE BOWL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT /

10. Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC

While his college career was short-lived compared to a few other legends of the era, Johnson dominated for two seasons at USC to earn a spot in Pac-12 lore.

A native of Los Angeles, Johnson starred at Palisades High School and had offers to play for top teams around the country, but struggled with his grades. Trojans head coach John Robinson decided to bring Johnson in after two years at West Los Angeles College for the 1994 season, a move that paid off immediately.

Johnson racked up 66 catches for 1,362 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing with an average of over 20 yards per reception. The 6-4, 212-pound speedster broke the 100-catch barrier the next season, finishing with another 1,434 yards and seven touchdowns.

USC earned a berth in the 1996 Rose Bowl, where Johnson caught 12 passes for a record 216 yards and a touchdown to be named Player of the Game in a win over Northwestern. Johnson also finished the season with consensus All-American accolades, and was named the 1995 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

The New York Jets selected Johnson first overall in the following NFL draft, and he would go on to become a three-time Pro Bowler with over 10,000 career receiving yards.

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