South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 defensive ends/EDGE players of all-time
Ranking the top-12 defensive ends/EDGE players in South Carolina football history
By Kevin Miller
![South Carolina football's Jadeveon Clowney with a sack against Missouri in 2012. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports South Carolina football's Jadeveon Clowney with a sack against Missouri in 2012. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/011ac5a0b216ef4817a1ff663545237bf1cc8364bc27acec0c27295f28bfd32a.jpg)
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Phil Ellis
An undersized player on the outside, Phil Ellis (1978-1982) played above his weight. Ellis was part of some stingy defenses that were led by tackling machines at linebackers like JD Fuller, James Seawright, and Mike Durrah. Ellis’ best trait was his ability to clog things up in the run game, allowing his linebackers to make plays. Ellis started for four seasons in garnet and black and compiled some impressive total stats because of it. His 17 sacks are good for 7th all-time.