USC football’s glory days included the late 1970s and the very early 1980s. Accordingly, the Trojans loaded up at the NFL draft in that era. Joey Browner, the defensive back who died earlier this year, was part of USC football’s NFL draft dominance in the early 1980s. We wrote about Browner’s career after his death:
“Browner played for the Trojans from 1979-1982. As a freshman, he was part of one of the most talented teams in college football history that featured the likes of Charles White, Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, and Anthony Muñoz. That USC team finished 11-0-1 and defeated Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
“Browner would also help lead the Trojans to a Fiesta Bowl appearance following the 1981 season. As a senior in 1982, he earned all-Pac-10 honors at safety after converting from cornerback prior to the year.”
Now, to the NFL draft piece of this story for Browner: When he was taken with the No. 19 pick in the 1983 NFL draft, Joey Browner ensured that USC football had a first-round pick in four consecutive NFL drafts. Anthony Munoz was the guy in 1980. 1981 had three NFL draft picks in the first round, with Ronnie Lott leading the way at No. 8. In 1982, Marcus Allen — the 1981 Heisman Trophy winner — went in the first round to the Raiders. Then Browner went to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round in 1983.
USC football and the NFL draft have been a winning and successful combination. Joey Browner helped USC extend a first-round NFL draft streak which is part of the Trojans’ rich NFL legacy.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Joey Browner was part of a special era in USC NFL draft history
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
