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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, we look at the first Heisman winner on the list—USC Heisman Trophy running back Marcus Allen.
Position: Running back
Years played at USC: 1978-1981
Career highlights: Allen did not start at running back for USC his first two years, because the Trojans had another Heisman winner in the backfield: the late, great Charles White. After winning a national championship as a freshman backup in 1978, Allen started at fullback in 1979.
Following the graduation of White, Allen took over as USC's featured back in 1980. After rushing for more than 1,500 yards that season, he shattered the record book as a senior in 1981. That year, Allen became the first player in college football history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, carrying the ball 403 times for an incredible 2,342 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named a Unanimous All-American and won just about every award that he was eligible for, including the Heisman Trophy, becoming the fourth USC running back to take home the honor.
Allen's retired jersey No. 33 hangs in the Peristyle at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
After USC: Allen did not have to move very far after graduating, as the newly-moved Los Angeles Raiders selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. Playing his home games in the Coliseum, just as he did in college, Allen quickly became a star for LA. In eleven seasons with the team, he was named to five Pro Bowls, made first-team All-Pro twice, made second-team All-Pro once, won MVP, offensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and Super Bowl MVP, and lead the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XVII. Allen spent the final five years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, making another Pro Bowl and winning comeback player of the year in 1993.
Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the only player in football history to win a college football national championship, Super Bowl, Heisman Trophy, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP as well as earn Unanimous All-American honors.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans running back Marcus Allen
Continue reading...
Today, we look at the first Heisman winner on the list—USC Heisman Trophy running back Marcus Allen.
Position: Running back
Years played at USC: 1978-1981
Career highlights: Allen did not start at running back for USC his first two years, because the Trojans had another Heisman winner in the backfield: the late, great Charles White. After winning a national championship as a freshman backup in 1978, Allen started at fullback in 1979.
Following the graduation of White, Allen took over as USC's featured back in 1980. After rushing for more than 1,500 yards that season, he shattered the record book as a senior in 1981. That year, Allen became the first player in college football history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, carrying the ball 403 times for an incredible 2,342 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named a Unanimous All-American and won just about every award that he was eligible for, including the Heisman Trophy, becoming the fourth USC running back to take home the honor.
Allen's retired jersey No. 33 hangs in the Peristyle at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
After USC: Allen did not have to move very far after graduating, as the newly-moved Los Angeles Raiders selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. Playing his home games in the Coliseum, just as he did in college, Allen quickly became a star for LA. In eleven seasons with the team, he was named to five Pro Bowls, made first-team All-Pro twice, made second-team All-Pro once, won MVP, offensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and Super Bowl MVP, and lead the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XVII. Allen spent the final five years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, making another Pro Bowl and winning comeback player of the year in 1993.
Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the only player in football history to win a college football national championship, Super Bowl, Heisman Trophy, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP as well as earn Unanimous All-American honors.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans running back Marcus Allen
Continue reading...
