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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PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 9: Carson Palmer #3 of the USC Trojans throws a pass during an NCAA football game against the Stanford University Cardinal on November 9, 2002 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002 and was the overall number one pick in the 2003 NFL draft. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 9: Carson Palmer #3 of the USC Trojans throws a pass during an NCAA football game against the Stanford University Cardinal on November 9, 2002 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002 and was the overall number one pick in the 2003 NFL draft. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

6. Carson Palmer, QB, USC

The fact that Palmer slipped outside of the top five speaks to the volume of quarterback talent in the Pac-12 over the past 25 years, as the USC icon turned in a remarkably productive career from 1998 to 2002.

A native of Fresno, Palmer became a prized recruit even before attending high school at Santa Margarita Catholic in Orange County. With offers from teams all over the country, Palmer stuck close to home to play for Paul Hackett and USC, which was coming off of rare back-to-back down seasons.

Palmer split time with Mike Van Raaphorst during an up-and-down true freshman season before breaking his collarbone three games into the 1999 season. After being granted a redshirt, Palmer started the next three years, becoming one of the most statistically prolific quarterbacks in conference history.

The best of those seasons by far was 2002, as Palmer became the fifth Trojan to win the Heisman Trophy with 3,942 passing yards and 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Palmer finished his career as the Pac-10’s all-time leader in passing yards with 11,118 and helped the Trojans get back on track with an 11-win season in year two of the Carroll era.

Injuries have again somewhat limited Palmer’s pro career, but he’s turned in a number of strong seasons between the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals after being selected first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft.

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