Troy Polamalu, Mark Carrier included on 2018 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Former USC safeties Troy Polamalu and Mark Carrier were included as part of the 75 players and six coaches on the 2018 College Football Hall of Fame ballot on Thursday.

Other big names on the ballot include former SMU running back Eric Dickerson, Miami linebacker Ray Lewis and defensive tackle Warren Sapp, California tight end Tony Gonzalez, Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson, and Texas head coach Mack Brown.

Polamalu was a 3-year starter at safety for the Trojans from 2000-02, and was named to the All-American first team twice, All-Pac-10 first team twice, and as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist in 2002. He compiled 278 tackles (29 tackles for loss), 6 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 blocked punts during his USC career.

Carrier was also a 3-year starter at safety for USC from 1987-89, finishing his USC career with 13 interceptions, including seven interceptions in 1989, which was second in the Pac-10 behind former Oregon defensive back Chris Oldham’s eight. Like Polamalu, Carrier was a two-time All-American and two-time All-Conference selection, and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1989.

Polamalu was drafted 16^th overall in the 2003 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing for 12 seasons with the Steelers and helping lead the franchise to two Super Bowl wins. He finished his NFL career with 32 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles, was 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year, and was named First-Team All-Pro four times and to the Pro Bowl eight times.

Carrier was the sixth pick in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He would play 11 seasons in the NFL with the Bears, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins, finishing his career with 16 forced fumbles and 32 interceptions, including an NFL-leading 10 interceptions during his rookie season in 1990.

The 2018 Hall of Fame class will be announced after the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 8, 2018.