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.
Today is day 67, and sorry to disappoint any middle school readers that I may have, but we will not be doing any memes. Instead, let’s look back at former USC All-American center Ryan Kalil.
Position: Offensive line
Years played at USC: 2003-2006
Career highlights: After serving as a backup offensive lineman as a true freshman in 2003, Kalil started at center for the Trojans for the next three years. He earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors twice and was named a first-team All-American as a senior in 2006. During Kalil’s time on campus, USC won two national championships, two Rose Bowls, and four conference titles.
After USC: The Carolina Panthers selected Kalil in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. (His pre-draft training video with Will Ferrell is one of the greatest things on the internet.) He would go on to spend 13 years in the league, all but one of which came with Carolina. Kalil made five Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice.
Since retiring from football, Kalil has gotten involved with numerous other ventures, including the film industry. He and former NBA star Blake Griffin were involved with production of the 2023 remake of “White Men Can’t Jump.”
Kalil’s younger brother, Matt, also played offensive line at USC and in the NFL. In their retirement from football, the two brothers have launched a tequila company together.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans OL Ryan Kalil
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
