Throwback Thursday: Marcus Allen, USC

March, 20 2023

One of the most prolific running backs in the history of college football, Marcus Allen was recruited to USC as a defensive back. Trojans head coach John Robinson, however, saw the potential in Allen to be an offensive gamechanger, moving him to tailback during his freshman year.

The shift paid off. After finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1980 with a 1,563-yard season, Allen shattered NCAA single season marks with a remarkable 2,342-yard rushing year in 1981.  He also gained 2,683 yards of total offense and led the nation in scoring, earning him the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award.

Deemed by Robinson as the greatest player he ever saw, Allen excelled in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors six times and capturing the Super Bowl XVIII MVP in 1983 as the Raiders won the title.