USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Everson Griffen in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Everson Griffen in focus Everson Griffen made the jump from USC to the NFL and became a great pro
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 93 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look back at another great USC defensive lineman, Everson Griffen.
Position: Defensive line
Years played at USC: 2007-2009
Career highlights: A highly-touted recruit out of Arizona, Griffen arrived at USC in 2007. He became an immediate contributor as a true freshman in a loaded front seven that featured the likes of Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews III. In three seasons with the Trojans, Griffen recorded 82 tackles and 16 sacks.
After USC: Griffen declared for the 2010 NFL draft, where the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the fourth round. He would go on to play 12 seasons in the league—all but one of which came with Minnesota—earning four Pro Bowl honors. His best statistical season came in 2017, when he recorded 45 tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass defended as the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
Griffen has openly discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder. Last November, he was arrested for a DWI. He was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest and four years of probation.
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