National Football Foundation

Position: Defensive Back 
Years: 1974-77 
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California 
Date of Birth: April 13, 1956 
Jersey Number: 7 
Height: 5-11 
Weight: 176 
High School: Santa Monica (Santa Monica, CA) 

Dennis Thurman was a fearless and instinctive playmaker whose ability to read the game and lock down receivers helped define the Trojans' defense, earning him a legacy as one of the greatest in Southern California history. The Santa Monica, California, native now becomes the 35^th Trojan player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A two-time First Team All-American, Thurman earned consensus honors in 1976 and unanimous pick in 1977. He helped USC win the national title in 1974 and four consecutive bowl victories, defeating Ohio State in the 1975 Rose Bowl, Tennessee in the 1975 Liberty Bowl, Michigan in the 1977 Rose Bowl and Texas A&M in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl. Southern Cal finished in the top 20 each year, posting an overall record of 37-10-1 during his four years playing in the Coliseum.
 
Playing for Hall of Fame coach John McKay during his first two seasons, Thurman helped the Trojans finish No. 1 in the 1974 Coaches Poll and No. 19 in 1975. Playing for Hall of Fame John Robinson the next two years, he led USC to final rankings of No. 2 in 1976 Coaches Poll and No. 12 in 1977. His Hall of Fame teammates during the run included Ricky Bell, Brad Budde, Anthony Davis, Ronnie Lott, Marvin Powell, Charles White, and Richard Wood.
 
A two-time First Team All-Conference pick in 1976 and 1977, Thurman led the Pac-8 with eight interceptions in 1976, including one pick-six and averaging 21.3 yards per interception. He recorded 13 career interceptions, tied for sixth-most in USC history, with two returned for touchdowns. He amassed 169 career tackles, 11 deflections, and four fumble recoveries. He was named team MVP in 1977 as well as the Trojans' Defensive Player of the Year. Recognized as one of the top senior prospects, he played in the 1978 Senior Bowl.
 
Drafted in the 11^th round of 1978 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, Thurman played eight years with the Cowboys, including Super Bowl XIII, and a final year in 1986 with the St. Louis Cardinals. After his playing career, he became a coach, currently as the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Hawaii. He has worked in the NFL as an assistant with the Cardinals, Ravens, Jets and Bills. His college previous stops include USC, Jackson State and Colorado.