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20 Best NFL Players from Pac-12 Schools

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 32. . QB. USC. Carson Palmer. 6

Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in his senior year with the USC Trojans and was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Palmer looked like he was headed toward challenging Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the best quarterback in the NFL in 2005 when he led the Bengals to an 11-5 record. He led the NFL in completion percentage and touchdown passes that year but a torn ACL suffered on the first attempt in the playoffs derailed that trajectory.

Related Story: 25 College Football Bucket List Items

He was unable to approach those heights again with the Bengals or with the Oakland Raiders who traded for him, but he had a career season at age 35 with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015.

Palmer threw for a career-high 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns and led the NFL with an 82.5 QBR. He was the most efficient he had been in his career and led the Cardinals to a 13-3 record and he was named to his first Pro Bowl since 2006 (third overall) and was a second-team All-Pro.

Next: 5. Andrew Luck

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