South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-15 Greatest Wide Receivers of All-Time

South Carolina football has a long history of playmakers on the outside. Big, possession receivers and smaller, speedier pass catchers both have played important roles in the offensive history of the University of South Carolina’s football program. With a couple of high-caliber current and incoming athletes hoping to put their names into the receiver pantheon in Columbia, let’s take a look at the best wide receivers in South Carolina football history.

Honorable Mentions

Tori Gurley: Tori Gurley (2008-2010) only spent two years playing as a Gamecock (he redshirted in 2008), but he was very productive in those two seasons. He totaled almost 1000 yards in his two campaigns in garnet and black, but it could have been more if not for his knack for having big plays called back due to penalties. Gurley’s talent led him to leave school early to pursue an NFL career. His brief time in the league was uneventful, but he became an excellent receiver in the Canadian Football League before injuries derailed his career.

Damiere Byrd: One of the fastest sprinters to ever don a block C on his helmet, Damiere Byrd (2011-2014) was part of Steve Spurrier’s troup of excellent short wide receivers, along with Bruce Ellington, Pharoh Cooper, Nick Jones, and Ace Sanders. Byrd parlayed his collegiate success into a nice NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons. He is still active and heading into his ninth season in the NFL.

Ace Sanders: A fan favorite, Ace Sanders (2010-2012) is one of the shiftiest Gamecocks ever. A good receiver and a great punt returner, Sanders had an excellent season as a junior. He scored nine offensive touchdowns and took two punts to the house, including an iconic Williams-Brice rattling return in the 35-7 rout of Georgia. He had three touchdowns in his final game and parlayed that success into being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Josh Vann: A player who struggled early in his career, Josh Vann (2018-2022) is one of the hardest-working receivers to have ever played at Carolina. That hard work paid off for Vann as he became the best receiver for Head Coach Shane Beamer in 2021. He returned for the 2022 season, but injuries slowed him down. Some of Vann’s biggest moments as a Gamecock came in the biggest games, and he has an impressive highlight reel to boot. He is hoping to hear his name called in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

Ira Hillary: A solid receiver for four seasons, Ira Hillary (1981-1984) is best remembered as the home run threat for the offense during the 1984 “Black Magic” season. Hillary averaged over twenty yards per catch that season, including three long touchdowns. His big-play ability led to him being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals where he played in a Super Bowl. After a four-year NFL career, he dominated for a short time in the Arena League before retiring after two seasons.

Brian Scott: Brian Scott (1997-2001) did not contribute much until his redshirt junior year. Scott’s emergence coincided with the Gamecocks putting together one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history when the team went from 21 straight losses to 17-7 over their next 24 contests. His most memorable moment came as he snatched victory from the (Bulldog) jaws of defeat by catching a game-winner in the closing moments against Georgia in 2001.

Monty Means: Monty Means (1993-1995) didn’t really know how to play football until his final year at Carolina. Having only played two seasons of football in his life before stepping on campus at South Carolina, Means took time to adjust to the college game. When he finally got his chance to contribute in 1995, Means scored 10 touchdowns and caught passes for 650 yards. In modern college football, Means would have had another year of eligibility, and fans of the 90s Gamecocks could imagine how good the Union County product would have been with that extra year.

Nick Jones: A high school teammate of Marcus Lattimore, Nick Jones (2010-2014) was a small receiver who didn’t run fast. He was, however, one of the best route runners to ever play at South Carolina, and his football IQ was off the charts. Despite his diminutive stature, “The Governor” as Steve Spurrier called him, was a good perimeter blocker who played hard. His start to the 2014 season against Texas A&M, East Carolina, and Georgia secured his spot as a fan favorite: Jones tallied almost 250 yards with two touchdowns, including clutch grabs against ECU and Georgia.

Jim Mitchell: Jim Mitchell (1969-1971) did not play much as a freshman because he was the backup to Fred Zeigler in a run-heavy system. When the top receiving spot opened up with Zeigler’s graduation, Mitchell took advantage. During his junior season, he averaged over 20 yards per catch, scored seven touchdowns, and racked up over 800 yards. His final year as a Gamecock was not quite as strong, but it was still good enough to lead the ACC in receiving yards.

Ryan Bethea: One of the most gifted receivers to play at South Carolina, Ryan Bethea (1985-1987) was a big, athletic receiver who put up good numbers even while playing with one of the best receivers of all-time Sterling Sharpe, elite pass-catching tight end Danny Smith, and good receiving running back Harold Green. Bethea eventually would be dismissed from the team before the 1988 season, but he was still picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Supplemental Draft.

Phillip Logan: Phillip Logan (1974-1977) was one of Jeff Grantz’s favorite targets. Logan, who saw his production dip after Grantz graduated, set the record for receptions in the Tangerine Bowl by snagging nine passes in the game his sophomore year.
Arguably his biggest moment came against rival Clemson as, on 4th and 12 from the 40, Logan caught a pass and wriggled his way to the end zone through half the defense to give his team the lead with seconds remaining. After his collegiate career, Logan turned down a free agent opportunity with the Green Bay Packers to pursue a career in developing athletic timing technology.

South Carolina Football’s No. 15 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Bruce Ellington

Bruce Ellington (2011-2013) was a basketball player. Seriously. He came to South Carolina on a basketball scholarship but was wooed by Steve Spurrier to join the football team after a year on campus. When he first played, Ellington was deep in the receiver rotation behind Alshon Jeffery, Ace Sanders, and Damiere Byrd, so he was deployed often as a wildcat quarterback.

It didn’t take long for Bruuuuuuuccccceeeeee to become a regular cry in Williams-Brice Stadium as Ellington became a very productive receiver his final two seasons, including 16 total scores in 2012 and 2013. He ran crisp routes and possessed great hands, traits that saw him picked in the NFL Draft’s fourth round.

South Carolina Football’s No. 14 Wide Receive of All-Time:
Jermale Kelly

A steady performer out wide, Jermale Kelly (1997-2000) has one of the most memorable catches in school history. After starting quarterback Phil Petty was injured, backup Erik Kimrey threw the game-winning pass (known simply as “The Fade”) to Kelly on 4th down.

Kelly had arguably his best season as a freshman but had a solid and consistent career as he is only one of four Gamecocks to notch four seasons of 350+ yards receiving with Bryan Edwards, Shi Smith, and Robert Brooks. Kelly had a brief career in NFL Europe after graduating from South Carolina.

South Carolina Football’s No. 13 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Shi Smith

A bright spot on some bad offenses, Shi Smith (2017-2020) was a four-year starter at receiver for the South Carolina football program. He evolved over the course of his career from a big-play threat who didn’t know how to run routes to a bonafide number-1 receiver before he graduated.

He finished his career in the top-5 at South Carolina in career catches thanks in large part to his final year in 2020, which resulted in him being drafted in the 2021 draft. He is still in the NFL today.

South Carolina Football's No. 12 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Troy Williamson

One of the fastest sprinters to play receiver for the Gamecocks, Troy Williamson (2002-2004) owns the longest reception in school history, a 99-yard scamper on a slant. His junior season in 2004 was one of the best receiver seasons in the country that year, as he was top-5 in the SEC in every receiving category, despite the fact that he played in a sub-par offense that had a revolving door at quarterback all season.

At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, men as big as Williamson should not be able to run as fast as he did, and #82 rode that physical giftedness to being selected seventh overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. He had a five-year NFL career that fizzled out as he battled vision issues that hampered his ability to catch the football.

South Carolina Football's No. 11 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Xavier Legette

Xavier Legette (2019-2023) is the hardest player to rank on this list. He was pretty bad for most of his first four seasons in Columbia, but fans never quite gave up on him because of his elite physical tools (6'3", 225 pounds, 4.3 40-yard dash). When he returned to the Gamecocks in 2023 after taking his "Covid redshirt," the annual offseason "Legette looks good in workouts" reports started circulating.

Those reports were accurate. The Mullins, South Carolina native put up the 2nd-best wide receiver season in school history, tallying 1255 yards and 7 touchdowns. Named an All-American and All-SEC player, Legette turned into a potential 1st round NFL Draft pick.

South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Robert Brooks

Robert Brooks (1988-1991) and his South Carolina football career can be described by one word: steady. One of only four Gamecocks to tally four seasons with over 350 yards receiving, Brooks was recruited to play running back. Upperclassman Harold Green had a stranglehold on the position, so Brooks’ way appeared blocked until he proved to be too good of a player to keep on the bench.

Brooks, wearing the unconventional #49, was trotted out as a wide receiver, and the rest is history. After being drafted in the third round, he had a nine-year NFL career that saw him win a Super Bowl and invent the now-famous “Lambeau Leap” after Packer touchdowns. A Packers teammate of Brett Favre during the latter’s early career in Green Bay, Favre referred to Brooks as one of his favorite targets of his entire career.

South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Deebo Samuel

If this were the list of the best football players who played wide receiver at South Carolina, Deebo Samuel (2015-2019) would have been toward the top as he was a player who contributed in many ways during his time in garnet and black. An elite returner and a useful carrier of the football (both from motion as a receiver or lined up in the backfield), Samuel was a big-time playmaker for the Gamecocks.

Arguably his best performance (10 catches for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns) came against Clemson, which only endeared him to fans even more. Injuries slowed #1 down during his career; otherwise, Samuel would have shot up this list. Deebo was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft and has become one of the best offensive weapons in professional football.

South Carolina Football’s No. 8 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Zola Davis

Zola Davis (1995-1998) had one of the best freshmen seasons in Gamecock history, accounting for almost 1000 receiving yards in just eleven games. He never had a season quite as good as his 1995 campaign, but Davis was an integral part of the small amounts of success the Gamecocks’ offense had in the late ’90s.

One of Steve Taneyhill’s and Anthony Wright’s favorite targets, Davis followed his quarterbacks to the land of professional football where he had a short career with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.

South Carolina Football’s No. 7 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Fred Zeigler

Fred Zeigler (1966-1969) was on campus in Columbia during an era when freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. Despite accruing zero stats because of this during his freshman year, he still ranks in the top-12 in several career receiving categories for the Gamecocks. Zeigler led the team in total receptions in each one of his three active seasons with the team and was an all-conference selection in the ACC in 1968 and 1969.

He was the top receiving option for quarterback Tommy Suggs on South Carolina’s only conference championship team in 1969. Zeigler finished his career at the top of every receiving statistical leaderboard at the University of South Carolina.

South Carolina Football’s No. 6 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Pharoh Cooper

Pharoh Cooper (2013-2015) was electric in garnet and black. A lightly-recruited defensive back prospect out of high school, Steve Spurrier quickly moved “Fay-Row” to offense when he got to campus. As he got acclimated to the receiver position during his freshman year, he still contributed as a wildcat quarterback, throwing a crucial touchdown pass against Clemson and being named a Freshman All-American.

Cooper became a household name as a sophomore as he was an all-SEC performer, something he would repeat as a junior. Cooper is the only South Carolina player with three games of 170 receiving yards or more in his career. He has been in the NFL since being drafted in 2016, even making a Pro Bowl as a special teams contributor.

South Carolina Football’s No. 5 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Kenny McKinley

Kenny McKinley (2005-2008) was a high school quarterback who Steve Spurrier turned into one of the best receivers that South Carolina football has ever seen. McKinley was not overly big or fast, but he made up for it by being a technician. His route running, quick feet, and soft hands led him to be the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards at the time of his graduation.

A player referred to by Spurrier as one of his “all-time favorite players,” he was also one of Coach Spurrier’s choices to throw his patented “double-pass,” having thrown a touchdown in 2006. McKinley was a fifth-round selection of the Denver Broncos in the 2009 NFL Draft and had a short career before his untimely death in 2010.

South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Bryan Edwards

Bryan Edwards (2016-2019) looked like he was created in a laboratory to play receiver. At 6’3″ and 215 pounds, Edwards had the size and leaping ability to make plays on the ball in the air. He was fast enough, though, to be the team’s primary punt returner during parts of his career and displayed his speed by taking a screen 75 yards to the house against Missouri as a senior.

His best catch (and one of the best catches ever) came against Tennessee in 2019 and tied him for the school’s record for receptions. The Conway, South Carolina native is the only Gamecock to have four seasons of 500+ yards receiving in his career and is South Carolina football’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards. He is currently in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons after being a third-round pick in 2020.

South Carolina Football’s No. 3 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Sidney Rice

Sidney Rice (2004-2006) only played two seasons at South Carolina after redshirting his first year on campus. He was lightly recruited out of high school but soon proved the recruiting industry wrong with his play on the field. Rice tallied double-digit touchdowns and over 1000 yards in each of his two seasons in Columbia and owns the most impressive receiver performance in Gamecock history.

In 2006, Rice had 9 receptions for 161 yards and 5 touchdowns in a closer-than-it-should-have-been matchup with the Florida Atlantic Owls. After dominating while wearing garnet and black, Rice donned Minnesota Viking purple and Seattle Seahawk green over an 8-year NFL career. Brett Favre mentioned Rice as one of his favorite wide receivers ever with Rice being his top target during his Vikings tenure.

South Carolina Football’s No. 2 Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Sterling Sharpe

A fitting spot for Sterling Sharpe’s (1983-1987) now-retired #2 jersey, Sterling takes silver on this list. Simply put, Sterling Sharpe was the man. Unable to contribute during the ’83 and ’84 seasons due to injury, Sharpe burst onto the scene late in the year as a redshirt sophomore in 1985 with one of the most impressive kick returns in school history against Duke. He had his real coming out party in 1986, however, as he totaled 1200 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in eleven games.

Sharpe’s dominance continued in the NFL where he was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers. He set several NFL records catching passes from Brett Favre but had his playing days tragically cut short by neck injuries. His brother and NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe refers to himself as the “second best football player in the family” as a tribute to Sterling’s greatness.

South Carolina Football’s Greatest Wide Receiver of All-Time:
Alshon Jeffery

Alshon Jeffery (2009-2011) was heavily recruited by Lane Kiffin while Kiffin was at Tennessee and was told by the coach that he would “end up pumping gas” if he didn’t play in Knoxville. Kiffin could not have been more wrong as Jeffery went on to become the best receiver in Gamecock history and a Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler in the NFL.

While in Columbia, Jeffery tied the South Carolina career receiving touchdowns record and owned the career yardage standard despite being in Columbia for just three seasons. Jeffery’s sophomore season is one of the best-ever receiving seasons in SEC history, as he posted over 1500 yards and 9 touchdowns on his way to All-American honors. He was elected an SEC football legend in 2022.