South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 greatest defensive tackles of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Defensive Tackle of All-Time:
Cleveland Pinkney
Cleveland Pinkney (1999-2000) was a big defensive tackle who played for Lou Holtz after going to junior college after high school. “Big Cleve” only spent two seasons in Columbia, but he left his mark. A formidable partner to the athletic Cecil Caldwell, Pinkney was a strong player against the run who commanded double teams and collapsed the interior of the offensive line into the backfield on most snaps.
As a senior in 2000, Pinkney joined Caldwell as a team captain and was selected as an All-SEC performer for his dominant play inside. After graduation, Pinkney put together a six-year NFL career. He was one of five defensive linemen on the 2000 South Carolina roster to make it to the League.