Super Bowl 50: Best college player from each Power Five conference
By Dustin Hull
Pac-12: Ryan Kalil, C—USC Trojans
Ryan Kalil has helped anchor the lines on some pretty impressive offenses. He was one of the captains at Southern Cal when they had the most feared offense in the country. And while Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, and Steve Smith were among those getting the limelight, there’s no doubt everyone knew Kalil had a big part in USC’s success.
And he was recognized for such accomplishments with an All-American selection at center, and also by winning the Morris trophy for the best lineman (offense or defense) in what was at the time the Pac-10.
He was so good that the Carolina Panthers used a second-round pick to get him, which is unusually high for most prospects at the position. And just as he did at USC, Kalil eventually became the leader of the one of the best lines in the country at Carolina.
He’d become the highest-paid center in the league just before the 2011 season, and has made the Panthers—just like USC—wise for pursuing him. He’s been selected to five Pro Bowls and has made a pair of first-team All-Pro squads.
So with the Broncos defense being one of the best in history, Kalil, and his line mates will play one of the most pivotal roles in Super Bowl 50. It’ll be the biggest stage Kalil has ever been on, even larger than the two BCS national championship games he played in.
Next: SEC