South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-12 defensive ends/EDGE players of all-time

In football, one of the most important jobs on the field is the EDGE spot. Defensive ends (and sometimes outside linebackers) rush the passer and set the edge in the run game. The South Carolina football program has had some elite EDGE players in its history. For the sake of this ranking, outside linebackers who played at the line of scrimmage will be considered EDGE players along with defensive ends.

Honorable Mentions

Darius English: Darius English (2012-2016) was a pass rush specialist who began his career as a 215-pound defensive end despite being 6’6″ tall. The skinny English was not able to contribute much early in his career just because of how small he was. As he worked on his body, English became a useful rotational piece as a junior but really broke out as a senior. An All-SEC 2016 was highlighted by 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Chris Rumph: A career utility player who didn’t focus on being an EDGE player until his redshirt senior season, Chris Rumph (1990-1994) contributed in numerous ways for the Gamecock defense in the early 1990s. He finally found his place in 1994 as he sacked the quarterback 6 times but logged an impressive 20 quarterback hurries. Rumph’s high motor was a major factor in him getting an NFL look before beginning his 25+ year coaching career.

Dante Sawyer: Dante Sawyer (2014-2017) played both inside and outside during the transition from Steve Spurrier to Will Muschamp in Columbia. He was a useful player but never lived up to his significant recruiting hype until he became entrenched as the starter at defensive end as a senior. His solid play was highlighted by his ridiculous nation-leading 5 forced fumbles. The Gamecocks recovered all five loose balls en route to the best year of Will Muschamp’s Gamecock coaching era.

Karey Johnson: A pass rush specialist from Athens, Georgia, Karey Johnson (1978-1982) spurned his hometown Bulldogs to play for South Carolina. Johnson only started a handful of games during his Gamecock career, but he made an impact. His 9-sack junior season is one of the top sack marks in a single season in Gamecock history.

DJ Wonnum: DJ Wonnum (2016-2019) was a combination defensive end and outside linebacker who was just a two-star recruit out of high school. One of the best recruiting evaluations ever, Wonnum became an All-SEC player after contributing 14 sacks and almost 30 tackles for loss across his injury-riddled career. He was an extremely athletic EDGE player at Carolina, and he is now headed into his fourth year in the NFL after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

Tony Guyton: Lightly used early in his career, Tony Guyton (1981-1985) became a solid EDGE player for the 1984 Black Magic Gamecocks and the following season. Guyton was undersized as a defensive end but still logged over 175 tackles during his final two seasons in Columbia. Guyton’s 1985 efforts earned him All-South Independent honors, and he had one of his finest performances against the rival Clemson Tigers as he had 10 tackles, including two for a loss.

George Gause: George Gause (2001-2004) came to Columbia with tons of hype. Viewed as one of the best defensive end recruits in the nation, he was expected to come in and dominate. That never came to fruition, but Gause was a solid player for four seasons as a Gamecock. His 15 sacks still rank in the top-10 all-time in program history, even if his career wasn’t full of accolades.

Willie McIntee: Another undersized defensive end, Willie McIntee (1982-1986) played opposite of Tony Guyton for part of his career. The pair of smaller EDGE players performed above expectations and made plays on a defense that played hard. The “Fire Ant” defense of 1984 was McIntee’s best overall season as he logged 80 tackles and 4 sacks.

Clifton Geathers: Clifton Geathers (2007-2009) was a mountainous man. At 6’7″ and 285 pounds, he was still athletic enough to play defensive end. After missing much of his freshman year with injury, he burst onto the scene as a disruptive presence on the 2008 defense. Geathers did not light up the box score with big tackle or sack totals, but his impact was felt every snap. Big #96 had a six-year NFL career after being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Moe Thompson: An extremely talented defensive lineman, Moe Thompson (2002-2004) was a freshman All-American as a utility defensive lineman. An athletic freak at 280 pounds, Thompson started almost every game of his career when active. He faced some minor disciplinary issues but didn’t miss time. After the 2004 brawl with Clemson, Thompson was facing a suspension but that suspension became a permanent dismissal from the team after an offseason burglary arrest. He finished his career at Grambling State.

South Carolina Football’s No. 12 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Casper Brinkley

One-half of the greatest set of twins to play football at the University of South Carolina (sorry, Lindsey boys), Casper Brinkley (2006-2007) was a stud as soon as he and his brother Jasper arrived from Georgia Military College. In his first season in Columbia, Brinkley put together a 7-sack, 13.5 tackle-for-loss campaign that saw him snubbed from joining his brother on the All-SEC team despite being worthy of the honor.

Brinkley’s 2007 season was even better despite the sack numbers not being there. He matched his tackles for loss number from 2006 and notched significantly more tackles as he played a more versatile role for the Gamecock defense. His ability to play standing up as an edge rusher or with his hand in the dirt led him to a brief NFL career despite his limited time playing high-level college football.

South Carolina Football’s No. 11  EDGE Player of All-Time:
Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare

Kingsley Enagbare (2018-2021) was a bright spot on some bad South Carolina football teams. “JJ” was moved all over the defensive front 7 from season to season, but he was most valuable as an EDGE. As an undersized defensive tackle, he was too small to hold up through a whole game, but as a big linebacker, he was playing outside of his abilities. It wasn’t until he was allowed to play EDGE full-time that he demonstrated the skills that got him drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

He was not a full-time starter until his junior season, but Enagbare was still a productive player all four years as a Gamecock despite being yanked around to play multiple spots. A good pass rusher, Enagbare excelled at setting the edge in the run game. He was constantly disruptive, and opposing offenses often schemed to run everything away from him. Picked as a first-team All-SEC player as a senior in 2021, Enagbare was one of the team leaders on Shane Beamer’s first team.

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.

South Carolina Football’s No. 9 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Corey Miller

Corey Miller (1987-1990) was another versatile EDGE who played both as a stand-up linebacker and as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end. Miller was known for his toughness and high intensity. Wearing the unconventional #33 jersey, he was selected as an all-conference player twice (All-South Independent) and registered over 75 tackles from defensive end during each of those two seasons.

After a good career in garnet and black, Miller went on to be selected in the 1991 NFL Draft. A nine-year NFL career with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings followed before he returned home to Columbia where he spent over a decade involved with sports media in the area, including working directly with his alma mater.

South Carolina Football’s No. 8 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Cliff Matthews

The epitome of rock solid, Cliff Matthews (2007-2010) was a good player as a four-year starter in Columbia. He spent most of his time with his hand in the dirt but occasionally played as a stand-up linebacker in Ellis Johnson’s system. Matthews was a freshman All-American in 2007 but had his best season as a junior in 2009 when he logged 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. His 4 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles both led the team.

Matthews was selected to the All-SEC team after both his junior and senior seasons. His career totals for tackles for loss, sacks, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles, and starts at defensive end all rank in the top-15 in Gamecock history. He had a six-year NFL career after being taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2011 NFL Draft.

South Carolina Football helmet. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Football’s No. 7 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Stacy Evans

Stacy Evans (1993-1994) was a beast. He only played for two years in Columbia after spending his freshman and sophomore years in junior college. He led the Gamecocks in sacks both of his seasons wearing garnet and black, and he ranks in the top-10 in career sacks despite his short college career. Evans was a two-time All-SEC selection and was chosen as the team’s MVP after his senior year in 1994.

Big #93 played a little bit inside at defensive tackle (out of necessity) but made his biggest impact as an end. His four forced fumbles in 1993 led the Gamecocks, and his 1994 tackle against Mississippi State resulted in one of the biggest defensive losses in program history. On a reverse, State wide receiver Eric Moulds could not escape the big defensive end, and Evans brought him down for a loss of 16 on the play.

South Carolina Football’s No. 6 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Devin Taylor

One of the tallest Gamecocks ever, the 6’8″ Devin Taylor (2008-2012) was a steadying force on the EDGE for South Carolina football during their rise to prominence under Steve Spurrier. After a 2008 redshirt, Taylor saw a significant role in 2009 as a rotational defensive end. After the departures of Eric Norwood and Clifton Geathers, Taylor became a mainstay in the starting lineup for three more seasons.

Taylor utilized his length to create separation from would-be blockers, and he excelled at using those long arms to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage. Taylor compiled 35.5 career tackles for loss which is the third most in Gamecock history. His sophomore and junior years were excellent as Taylor was selected to two All-SEC teams, including a first-team nod as a redshirt sophomore. He is also one of just a handful of Carolina players to ever block multiple kicks in a career.

South Carolina Football’s No. 5 EDGE Player of All-Time:
John Abraham

John Abraham (1996-1999) is one of the most gifted athletes to ever play at South Carolina. A track star despite being 6’4″ and 230 pounds, Abraham didn’t play football until his senior year of high school. He showed off his considerable athleticism immediately at South Carolina as he became a contributor as a freshman, including notching a sack in a win over Clemson (linked above). He also is one of the school’s all-time leaders in blocked kicks with 4.

Abraham is one of just two Gamecocks (along with Eric Norwood) to put together four seasons of 4+ sacks, and his 22.5 career sacks put him tied for 4th in program history, but those who watched him understand he was even better than his numbers would indicate. His college career showed enough promise, though, that he was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft, where he racked up an insane 133.5 career sacks. He was honored as an SEC Legend in 2017 and has a chance to one day be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.

South Carolina Football’s No. 4 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Kalimba Edwards

One of just a handful of two-time All-Americans in South Carolina history, Kalimba Edwards (1998-2001) was a monster for Head Coach Lou Holtz and Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong’s defenses. Edwards played sparingly as a freshman but was a major contributor for three more years in Columbia. His ’99 season showed signs of what he was capable of, and he was named an All-American in 2000 after he put together a 7-sack campaign and added 11 more tackles for loss.

As a senior in 2001, big Kalimba was asked to play more linebacker, so his sack totals dwindled. He still managed to set a career-high in tackles that season and hurried the quarterback 11 times on his way to another All-American honor. In the 2002 NFL Draft, Edwards was picked up in the early second round by the Detroit Lions, and he had a 7-year career that ended under mysterious circumstances. Many fans believe collusion was the cause as he was never re-signed after asking for more money.

South Carolina Football’s No. 3 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Melvin Ingram

Melvin Ingram (2007-2011) was a freak. Moved all over during his career, he began as a linebacker, moved to defensive end, then to defensive tackle, then back to end, then back to tackle, and, sometime in there, he also practiced at fullback. Thankfully, the Gamecock coaching staff saw his abilities as a pass rusher and focused his efforts there for most of his career.

Ingram didn’t become a regular contributor until 2010. The redshirt junior brought down 9 quarterbacks and had 11 more tackles for loss as a rotational utility defensive lineman. In 2011, Jadeveon Clowney arrived on campus, and Ingram was poised to not start again, but he was just too good at practice to keep on the bench. Ingram played lots of defensive tackle and defensive end as a senior and put together one of the best defensive line seasons in SEC history.

11 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries for touchdowns, and one ridiculous fake punt (linked above) highlighted his consensus All-American senior season. Despite only starting for one season and being yanked all over the defense, Ingram ranks 4th in career sacks and 7th in career tackles for loss. He was picked in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, became a Pro Bowler, and is still in the League today.

South Carolina Football’s No. 2 EDGE Player of All-Time:
Eric Norwood

Unlike names like John Abraham, Melvin Ingram, and Jadeveon Clowney, Eric Norwood (2006-2009) was not a freak. He was short as a pass rusher (listed at 6’0″ tall), and was not very well put-together as an athlete. But, man, could he play ball anyway.

A defensive end turned outside linebacker, Norwood became an impact player on the EDGE as soon as he stepped on campus. His seven sacks as a first-year player are tied for the most ever by a Gamecock freshman, and his 30 tackles were impressive for a defensive end who didn’t start a single game. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2006 but was just getting started. After moving to a hybrid end/outside linebacker role as a sophomore, Norwood’s game was unlocked.

Norwood brought down 19.5 ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage and had five more sacks in 2007 and brought down 9 quarterbacks in 2008. He also became the first player in NCAA history to have two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in the same game when South Carolina beat top-10 Kentucky. He had a strong senior year, as well, as he was named an All-American and became one of just a handful of three-time All-SEC performers at Carolina. He had a brief NFL career.

South Carolina Football’s Greatest EDGE Player of All-Time:
Jadeveon Clowney

Everyone knew this one was coming, right? Jadeveon Clowney (2011-2013) was the consensus number-one recruit in the nation, and he lived up to the billing during his Gamecock career. His career began with a bang as he, Melvin Ingram, and Devin Taylor put together the best collective defensive end season in Gamecock history in 2011. Clowney had a Carolina single-season record of 5 forced fumbles as a freshman and was selected to his first of three All-SEC teams. He was also named a Freshman All-American and was a determining factor in Carolina’s win over Georgia.

As a sophomore, the Rock Hill phenom had the best defensive line season in Carolina history as he put together a 23.5 tackle for loss and 13 sack season despite missing a game due to injury. He finished that season with one of the most iconic plays ever in college football, simply known as “The Hit.” After an egregious first down call for Michigan, #7 took matters into his own hands on the next play, blowing up Wolverine running back Vincent Smith and recovering his own forced fumble. If not for tripping over Smith’s lifeless corpse, he might have even scored on the play.

Clowney was very good again as a junior, but his numbers dwindled as he faced double-teams and even triple-teams on every play due to his dominance. He was still productive and had double-digit tackles for loss. In just three years in Columbia, the 3-time All-American (Freshman honors in 2011, first-team honors in 2012 and 2013) reached the top-3 in Gamecock history in sacks and tackles for loss and became the program’s all-time leader in forced fumbles. He was the first-overall pick in the 2014 draft and became an NFL Pro Bowler.