South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-20 NFL Gamecocks of all-time

South Carolina Football’s No. 2 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker John Abraham

Relatively new to football when he arrived at the University of South Carolina, John Abraham (1996-1999) developed into a big-time pass rusher by the time he left the Gamecocks. He was picked in the 1st round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and he quickly became one of the best defensive players in professional football.

Abraham made his first of three All-Pro teams in his second season when he led the NFL in forced fumbles and logged 13 sacks and 14 additional tackles for loss. Amazingly, those were not even the best numbers of his illustrious career. After becoming an Atlanta Falcon, Abraham racked up an amazing 16.5 sacks and 20 more tackles for loss in his age 30 season. In all, he put up 10 seasons with at least 9.5 sacks and 20 total tackles for loss.

Abraham did not get enough consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as his pass-rushing numbers are significantly better than several EDGE players who have already been enshrined. The players who competed with Abraham recognize his greatness, however, and because of that, he seems like a virtual lock for enshrinement when put before the Senior/Veteran’s Committee.