South Carolina football has had its fair share of great offensive linemen that have played under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium. In fact, some of Carolina’s greatest-ever skill position players would not have been as successful if it were not for the efforts of the “big uglies” clearing the way. With three elite OL prospects expected to be coming on campus in 2024, Gamecock fans naturally have been thinking of how they compare to the great road graders of the past.
Honorable Mentions
Ronald Patrick: Ronald Patrick (2010-2013) played guard for the Gamecocks and was a dynamic run blocker for standout backs Marcus Lattimore and Mike Davis during the height of the Steve Spurrier-era in Columbia. After graduating, he had a five-year NFL career in which he spent time at both center and guard.
Mike McCabe: Mike McCabe (1971-1975) was a center for the Gamecocks as Paul Dietzel’s team left the ACC and became Independent. He played sparingly until Coach Jim Carlen replaced Dietzel in 1975. McCabe’s senior year saw him shine in the middle for the garnet and black, as he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, voted as the best blocker among Independent programs that season. He had a brief NFL career that never saw him get on the field during a game.
Lemuel Jeanpierre: Lemuel Jeanpierre (2006-2009) began his career as a defensive lineman before transitioning to guard. He had a seven-year NFL career as a center, including one season as the primary starter for the Seahawks. LJP also became one of the youngest offensive line coaches in NFL history after his playing career.
Sadarius Hutcherson: An all-SEC guard and four-year starter at South Carolina, Sadarius Hutcherson (2016-2020) played three years at guard and one at tackle, including an All-SEC selection as a guard. He spent a year in the NFL after graduation playing with former Gamecock teammate Zack Bailey.
Darrell Austin: A versatile lineman for the Gamecocks, Darrell Austin (1969-1973) was a captain during his final year in Columbia. He was a good player in college but blossomed after being given a chance in the NFL. After an injury ended his time with the Denver Broncos, he spent several years starting at guard for the New York Jets, including one playing for future South Carolina Head Coach Lou Holtz.
Jamon Meredith: Jamon Meredith (2004-2008) started games at both tackle positions and left guard for the South Carolina football program. An excellent athlete for an offensive lineman, Meredith missed significant time with the Gamecocks due to injury and eligibility issues but still managed to accumulate over 30 starts. He was drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and spent several years as a starting guard with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rusty Russell: A big tackle who started at tackle in front of the Gamecock faithful in Williams-Brice Stadium, William “Rusty” Russell (1980-1983) had a solid career wearing garnet and black. He was drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles because of his enormous potential. Things didn’t pan out for Russell in the NFL, but he did go on to be one of the best offensive linemen in the Arena League.
Rokevious Watkins: Rokevious Watkins (2009-2011) spent three years in Columbia after beginning his career in junior college. He eventually developed into one of the best run blockers in school history, spending time at guard and tackle. An All-SEC selection at guard, Watkins was drafted by the Rams and had a two-year NFL career that included a brief stint as a starter.
Chuck Slaughter: Arguably the best run blocker on the line who led the way for George Rogers, Chuck Slaughter (1978-1981) was an undersized tackle who was one of the toughest players to ever wear garnet and black. He had a very brief NFL stint with the New Orleans Saints that saw him play in one game in his career.
Ike Harris: Ike Harris (1986-1990) was a three-year starter at left tackle for Head Coaches Joe Morrison and Sparky Woods. He was a steadying presence on a line that went through some struggles after a steroid scandal rocked the program. Harris was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, where he played briefly.
Cedric Williams: A defensive line recruit signed by Brad Scott, Cedric Williams (1998-2002) was moved to tackle under Lou Holtz and became an All-SEC performer at guard after another position shift. He started most of his four-year career after redshirting under Scott. Since graduating, Williams has been a long-time college offensive line coach all over the south.
Corey Robinson: Corey Robinson (2011-2015) was not brought to South Carolina to be the team’s left tackle but was too good to keep off the field. A massive man at 6’8″ and 340 pounds, Robinson started for three years and was immovable by opposing pass rushers. He helped anchor an offensive line that is probably the best in school history alongside AJ Cann, TJ Johnson, Ronald Patrick, and Brandon Shell.
Leonard Burton: A rotational lineman for Joe Morrison’s best team in 1984, Leonard Burton (1984-1985) was a backup on a very good offensive line unit during the “Black Magic” season. He got much better as a senior and had an outstanding year. In this final season, Burton was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top blocker from Independent teams that year. He had a nine-year NFL career, primarily as the backup center for the Buffalo Bills.
Na’Shan Goddard: Na’Shan Goddard (2001-2005) was a versatile lineman who was a freshman All-American in 2002. He played center, guard, and tackle for the Gamecocks and had a five-year NFL career in which he won two Super Bowls, one with the Giants, and one alongside fellow Gamecock lineman Jamar Nesbit.
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T Brandon Shell
Brandon Shell (2011-2015), nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Art Shell, redshirted his first year at South Carolina but was a full-time starter almost immediately after that first season. Shell started 47 straight games at both left and right tackle for the Gamecocks during some of the most successful seasons in South Carolina history.
He grew to be an even better player at the next level as he is still active in the NFL today and has started 72 games for multiple NFL franchises, including the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins.
South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T Dennis Daley
Dennis Daley (2017-2018) was a starter during his only two years in Columbia. A Georgia Military College transfer and Columbia native, Daley was an All-SEC selection after his senior season and one of the best pass blockers in school history.
After Daley graduated from South Carolina, he was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Daley is still active in the league and has put together a very nice NFL career, starting many games for both the Carolina Panthers and the Tennessee Titans.
South Carolina Football’s No. 8 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
C TJ Johnson
TJ Johnson (2008-2012) has a real argument as South Carolina’s greatest center ever–it’s close between Johnson, Leonard Burton, and Mike McCabe, but Johnson wins out with longevity. A redshirt in 2008, Johnson captained some of the best offensive line units in school history, starting a record 53 games at center.
He made an extremely overdue first All-SEC team in his final season as a Gamecock and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013, where he played for five seasons. Johnson took over the starting guard position for the Bengals in 2017 before injuries ended his promising career.
South Carolina Football’s No. 7 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T Ernest Dye
Perhaps the most physically-gifted offensive lineman ever to wear the garnet and black, Ernest Dye (1989-1992) is the only offensive lineman to be selected as an NFL first-round draft pick in South Carolina football history.
An imposing and intimidating figure to line up against, Dye was an All-SEC tackle in Columbia who went on to start over twenty games for the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams at both tackle and guard before a car accident ended his NFL career too early.
South Carolina Football’s No. 6 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T/G Melvin Paige
.@GamecockFB portrait week starts today. Here's a throwback to 2001: Offensive lineman Melvin Paige plays a trombone on 8/24/2001. During high school, Paige was in marching band and didn't play football until his junior year. (@thestate) @gogamecocks #marchingband pic.twitter.com/D7hJOwmMnz
— The State Vintage (@thestatevintage) July 16, 2018
Melvin Paige (1997-2001) made two All-SEC teams and an All-SEC freshman team during his career as a Gamecock. He was part of some interesting offensive line units that had two or three pro-caliber linemen playing alongside two or three below-reserve-level talents.
Big Melvin was part of the offensive line unit that transitioned the program from the firing of Brad Scott into the Lou Holtz-era. A latecomer to football who didn’t start playing until his junior year of high school, Paige primarily played tackle at South Carolina but played some inside as well. He was briefly a guard in NFL Europe after his collegiate playing career.
South Carolina Football’s No. 5 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
G/T/C Zack Bailey
Zack Bailey (2015-2019) was the most consistent offensive lineman for the Gamecocks during the Will Muschamp-era in Columbia. He started at center and both guard spots as a freshman for Steve Spurrier in 2015, making the All-SEC freshman team, but found his home at left guard the following year.
Out of the team’s necessity, Bailey spent some time starting at right tackle in 2017 before moving back to guard. The position changes likely cost him an all-conference selection, but he made up for it with a selection the following season. Bailey is still in the NFL, having spent time with the Buccaneers, Colts, Vikings, Commanders, and Chargers.
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T/G Jamar Nesbit
Jamar Nesbit (1995-1998) played for Brad Scott and the Gamecocks, primarily as a tackle. Nesbit was known for his brute strength as a blocker, and he was an all-SEC performer each of his four years in Columbia: all-freshman team in 1995, first-team in 1996 and 1998, and second-team in 1997.
Nesbit played in the NFL for over a decade and won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints. He has also helped with South Carolina football’s radio broadcasts, working as the sideline reporter alongside former Gamecock quarterbacks Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs. He is now a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame.
South Carolina Football’s No. 3 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
G/T Del Wilkes
The late Del Wilkes, aka "The Patriot" is one of eight Gamecock inductees headed into South Carolina's Athletics Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/EjwSlg365B
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) May 6, 2022
Del Wilkes (1980-1984) led an unusual career at South Carolina. After bouncing in and out of the starting lineup for two seasons as a guard and tackle, Wilkes quit the team. When Head Coach Joe Morrison joined the Gamecocks, Wilkes returned to the team. He became a captain and team MVP in the famous “Black Magic” season of 1984.
That season, he became the only Gamecock offensive lineman (and the first of four players regardless of position) to be a consensus All-American at USC. After his playing career, he was a professional wrestler in the WWF, WWE, and WCW, where he wrestled as “The Trooper” and “The Patriot.” He was posthumously inducted into the South Carolina Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame.
South Carolina Football’s No. 2 Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
G AJ Cann
AJ Cann (2010-2015) is the best run blocker in South Carolina history. He started every game of his career but one (due to injury), and he was a freshman All-American, a three-time All-SEC performer, and an All-American as a senior. Cann has the second most starts in school history behind teammate TJ Johnson, and he was a third-round draft pick in the NFL. He is still having a very nice NFL career, where he has started every game of his career but one (just like in college) for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
South Carolina Football’s Greatest Offensive Lineman of All-Time:
T Travelle Wharton
Travelle Wharton (2000-2003) was the man in garnet and black. Despite offensive linemen being an often-overlooked group, Travelle Wharton was a star during his Gamecock career. Playing the entirety of his college career as the starting left tackle, Wharton made the freshman All-American team and was an All-SEC selection twice.
He was smaller than most left tackles (just under 6’4″ and around 300 pounds) but anchored an offensive line that he shared with NFL talents like Na’Shan Goddard, Jabari Levy, Melvin Paige, and Cedric Williams. Wharton’s professional career saw successful stints at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard for the Carolina Panthers during a decade-long stint in the NFL. He has since gotten into coaching, including one season as an assistant offensive line coach for the Gamecocks.