National Football Foundation

A three-year letterman at outside linebacker for USC, Duane Bickett helped the Trojans to a 21-12-1 record, a Pac-10 title and a 20-17 upset victory over No. 6 Ohio State in the 1985 Rose Bowl. Named Defensive Player of the Year by the team and the Pac-10, he accumulated 151 tackles, a team-leading 16 tackles for loss, 13 pass deflections and an interception, earning Consensus First Team All-America and First Team All-Pac-10 honors. Bickett finished his career with 291 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 22 pass deflections and six interceptions. A First Team Academic All-American, he made the Dean’s List five consecutive semesters and compiled a 3.67 GPA in accounting. Bickett also received the Football Alumni Club Award as the player with the highest GPA.

Bickett was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1985 NFL Draft. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 141 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. A 1987 Second Team All-Pro selection, Bickett was named to his only Pro Bowl in 1987. In nine seasons with the Colts, he started all 137 games, racking up 1,052 tackles, 50 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries and nine interceptions. He is the franchise leader in career tackles and ranks third in career sacks. Bickett also played three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.