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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GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Tedy Bruschi #54 of the New England Patriots shouts on the field before the Patriots take on the New York Giants during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Tedy Bruschi #54 of the New England Patriots shouts on the field before the Patriots take on the New York Giants during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

5. Tedy Bruschi, DE, Arizona

The leader of the Desert Swarm defense, Bruschi became a Pac-12 legend by piling up huge numbers over his four-year career at Arizona.

Bruschi was born in San Francisco and became a star athlete in football, wrestling and track at Roseville High School. No in-state program had much interest in Bruschi, so he went to Arizona to play for Dick Tomey from 1991 to 1995.

Injuries held Bruschi back in his first two years and forced him to take a redshirt in 1991, but he blossomed into a star as part of the infamous 1992 Wildcats team. After making the switch from linebacker to defensive end, Bruschi piled up a school record 19 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss.

Over the next two years, Bruschi would combine for 28.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss, earning All-American status in both seasons. Bruschi finished his career tied for the NCAA career record in sacks with 52 and was later elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The New England Patriots picked Bruschi in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft, and he again defied expectations by becoming an important part of the dynasty in the early 2000s.

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