Big Uglies: A look at the top Offensive Tackles in USC history

Background:

As a transfer from Cerritos College in 1965, Ron Yary entered his first year as a Trojan on the defensive side of the ball. In his sophomore campaign, Yary was named Pac-8 Defensive Lineman of the Year and All-West Coast. The following year, Yary made the transition to offense, and didn’t skip a beat. Alongside his 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame, Yary possessed the agility, footwork, speed and aptitude to excel in the right tackle spot. During Yary’s three seasons, under head coach John McKay, the Trojans went 24-7-1 and were named national champions in 1967.

Honors:

After his move to offensive tackle, Yary was named a consensus All-American selection in 1966, and was a unanimous choice in 1967. His senior year, alongside national champion, Yary won both the Outland Trophy and Knute Rockne Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate lineman. In 1987, he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Draft:

No. 1 overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft to the Minnesota Vikings.

Professional Career:

During Yary’s tenure, he played in five NFC championships, and Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI. The Vikings won the 1969 NFL championship, and NFC titles in 1973, 174 and 1976. Perhaps more impressively, Yary missed just two starts over his 14 years in Minnesota, both with a broken ankle in 1980. He played the rest of that year, despite the injury.

Background:

A gifted athlete off the edge, Tyron Smith may have had the most raw athleticism of any lineman at USC. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound right tackle had nimble feet, fantastic lateral movement, and gained great depth on his kick-step which allowed him to explode into his blocks. While at USC, Smith played two years under Pete Carroll and his junior year under Lane Kiffin. After making spot starts his freshman season, Smith took over the starting role in 2009 and won the Morris Trophy in 2010.

Honors:

Besides the Morris Trophy Smith was also All-Pac-10 in 2010 while at USC. 

Draft:

No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys.

Professional Career:

Since his rookie year in 2011, Smith has been named to the All-Pro first team each year except 2012, when he made the transition to left tackle. In 2014, he signed an 8-year, $109 million contract extension, to make him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL at the time. That same year, he cleared the way for the league’s second ranked rushing offense, while DeMarco Murray became the league’s leading rusher. This past fall, Smith was elected to his sixth straight Pro Bowl.

Background:

At 6-foot-7, 324 pounds, Tony Boselli was the ideal left tackle. While his footwork and quickness off the ball were astonishing for someone his size, Boselli’s biggest asset was his intelligence. Few players knew his assignment like Boselli, few players worked constantly to critique his own technique like Boselli, and few players studied his opponents to key in on pass rush moves and schemes like Boselli. Combining his physicality with mental strength, he solidified his name as the best Trojan to ever play on the blind side, and led USC to three consecutive bowl games— highlighted by a 1994 Cotton Bowl victory.

Honors:

Getting to campus in 1991, Boselli earned All-Pac-10 and first-team All-American honors in 1992, 1993, and 1994, as well as academic All-Conference honors. As a senior, he won the Morris Trophy, given to the top offensive lineman in the Pac-10.

Draft:

No. 2 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Professional Career:

After sitting out training camp and the first three weeks of his rookie season, Boselli started the remaining 12 games and earned All-Rookie honors after allowing only one sack. Voted to consecutive Pro Bowls from 1997 to 2001, he also was named First-Team All-Pro in 1997, 1998 and 1999, while anchoring the left side for four-straight playoff seasons in Jacksonville.

Background:

Although an argument can be made that Anthony Muñoz is one of the best offensive linemen NFL history, he comes in at #4 on this list for one big reason: sample size. Knee injuries proved a problem while at USC, and Muñoz only played 16 games for the Trojans. Making an immediate impact when he did play, the 6-foot-6, 278 pound Muñoz was the prototypical offensive lineman as an exceptional straight-on blocker, with agility and foot quickness to match his strength. As a part of the 1978 national championship football team, Muñoz pitched for the Trojan’s national championship baseball team that same year, and started in the 1980 Rose Bowl victory.

Honors:

Despite three knee surgeries limiting his play, Muñoz was named a two-time All-American.

Draft:

No. 3 overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Professional Career:

In the NFL, Muñoz missed just three games due to injury, and was always in top shape— running three to four miles ever morning, before his team workouts began. Playing thirteen seasons, his career was highlighted by two AFCE championships in 1981 and 1988. Individually, Muñoz was elected to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls, and was named All-Pro as many times from 1981 through 1991. He was also named NFL Man of the Year in 1991, honoring a player’s excellence off of the field.

Background:

At USC from 2003-2007, Sam Baker played under coach Carroll’s offense, and led the way for Heisman trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. Standing 6-foot-5, 301 pounds, he made his name first known in 2005 as a redshirt sophomore. The next year, he was on watch lists for the top lineman in the nation, and led the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory. Entering his senior season, Baker was a sure-fire top-five pick. After the departure of Ryan Kalil, Baker took over the leadership role and USC went on to defeat Illinois in the Rose Bowl, falling just short of being named national champion.

Honors:

From the moment Baker stepped into the left tackle spot, he made an immediate impact and was named a consensus All-Pac-10 and first-team All-American player in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Draft:

No. 21 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons.

Professional Career:

Marred by injuries, Baker’s professional career did not pan out as expected. He only played 60 games, after being sidelined in 2013 with a torn left patella tendon, which he re-aggravated in 2014 and ended his season. Baker was released in 2015.

Background:

Despite going 5-14-1 in his two years at USC, Ron Mix was ahead of his time when it came to fitting the mold for an offensive lineman. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, he placed a significant focus on the weight room, which was years ahead of the trend. He was marked with a military press of 300 pounds, clean-and-jerk of 325, and bench press of 425— all of which were considered exceptional for his era.

Honors:

In 1959, he was named first-team All-American, AP first team All-Pacific Coast and first team All-Big Five.

Draft:

• 1 overall pick in the 1960 AFL draft to the Los Angeles Chargers
• 1 overall pick in the 1960 NFL draft to the Baltimore Colts

Professional Career:

After choosing the AFL, Mix was played a significant role in the Chargers’ early domination of the Western Division, and won an American Football League Championship in 1963. He was an eight-time AFL All-Star, named All-AFL in nine seasons, and was the first Charger to have his number retired after his career was cut short due to injury.