Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
If you had not already noticed, most of the USC players to wear numbers above 90 have been defensive linemen. Today, we will take a look at another one in Everson Griffen.
Position: Defensive line
Years played at USC: 2007-2009
Career highlights: A highly-touted recruit out of Arizona, Griffen arrived at USC in 2007. He became an immediate contributor as a true freshman in a loaded front seven that featured the likes of Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews III. In three seasons with the Trojans, Griffen recorded 82 tackles and 16 sacks.
After USC: Griffen declared for the 2010 NFL draft, where the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fourth round. He would go on to play 12 seasons in the league—all but one of which came with Minnesota—earning four Pro Bowl honors. His best statistical season came in 2017, when he recorded 45 tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass defended as the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately, Griffen has run into some legal trouble and dealt with mental health problems since retiring. He has openly discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder, and has twice been arrested for DWI, with one of the incidents also including possession of cocaine. Last summer, Griffen was reportedly removed from a flight for “unruly” behavior.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans DL Everson Griffen
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
