The South Carolina football program has had a knack for putting players in the NFL at a higher rate than the on-field winning (or losing) in college would indicate. However, a smaller group of NFL Gamecocks really stand out above the others as the best South Carolina football alums to play in the League.
Honorable Mention
AJ Cann: An elite run blocker in college and in the League, AJ Cann (2010-2014) was a starting guard in the NFL for a decade. Spending most of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cann led the way up front for a team that was one play away from the Super Bowl when former Gamecock teammate Stephon Gilmore knocked away a Blake Bortles pass to seal the game. He is currently a free agent but is expecting to sign somewhere this offseason.
Andrew Provence: Andrew Provence (1980-1982) was the best defensive tackle to ever don a block C on his helmet. After dominating the Georgia Bulldogs in college, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 3rd round of the 1983 NFL Draft. Provence made the NFL’s All-Rookie team that season and hung around in the league for seven seasons before injuries forced his retirement.
Sidney Rice: One of the best receivers to ever play for South Carolina football, Sidney Rice (2004-2006) had a couple of really good seasons in an injury-shortened pro career. On the verge of being labeled a “bust” due to injuries and being unable to crack the starting lineup, Rice won a starting job heading into his third season. In his first year as a starter for the Minnesota Vikings, Rice became Brett Favre’s top target and reeled in 83 balls for over 1300 yards.
The Pro Bowl came calling for Rice after his 2009 season, but injuries sent the talented receiver back to the bench. Rice’s career remains a big “what if” as, due to his health, he was only able to accumulate 2000 more yards over the other six years of his career.
Steve Courson: Steve Courson (1973-1976) was a good offensive lineman at the University of South Carolina but was a significantly better pro blocker. He started on multiple Super Bowl championship-winning Pittsburgh Steelers teams that were known for their toughness on both sides of the ball.
Courson later admitted that he started using steroids toward the end of his Gamecock career and continued using the performance-enhancing drugs throughout his time in the NFL, tainting a good career.
Kalimba Edwards: A two-time All-American at Carolina, Kalimba Edwards (1998-2001) continued his strong work as an EDGE player in the NFL. A part-time player for most of his career, Edwards was a pass-rush specialist who logged over 30 sacks and 31 more tackles for loss in his 7-year career with the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders. Edwards’ career ended after NFL owners, in a fairly public manner, colluded against him for holding out for more money heading into the 2010 season.
Max Runager: Max Runager (1974-1978) was a good punter for the Gamecocks of the mid-1970s, but he put it all together as a pro. Runager spent eleven years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Fransisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns, including winning two Super Bowls with the 49ers in the ’80s.
Darian Stewart: An underrated player both in college and in the NFL, Darian Stewart (2006-2009) went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft but became a Pro Bowler several years later. He spent his 10-year career with the St. Louis Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl with the Broncos.
Corey Miller: Corey Miller (1987-1990) was primarily an EDGE player at South Carolina, racking up double-digit sacks for his career. As a pro, though, he split his time between EDGE and a more traditional linebacker spot. He played for nine seasons with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.
DJ Swearinger: A leader of the Gamecock secondary in college, DJ Swearinger (2009-2012) went on to be a leader of multiple NFL defensive back groups. Swearinger played for nine years in the league but could have played longer. He was (allegedly) blackballed from the NFL after being very outspoken against multiple NFL owners’ business and football dealings.
Jamar Nesbit: Jamar Nesbit (1995-1998) was one of the best offensive linemen to ever play for the Gamecocks. He wasn’t selected in the 1999 NFL Draft but was signed as an undrafted free agent and played for 11 years all over the offensive lines of the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints. He won a Super Bowl with the Saints.
Captain Munnerlyn: A cornerback who truly played bigger than his size, the 5’8″ Captain Munnerlyn (2006-2008) played 11 seasons in the NFL, ten of them with the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings. Munnerlyn was best equipped as a slot corner but was often forced into duty on the outside because he was the best option available. He also won the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award during his career.
Ernest Dye: Ernest Dye (1991-1992) was one of the most athletic offensive linemen in Gamecock history. He played both tackle and guard in college, and that versatility served him well in the NFL as he started games inside and outside for the Phoenix Cardinals and St. Louis Rams before a serious car accident ended his career.
Hayden Hurst: One of the best tight ends to ever be a Gamecock, Hayden Hurst (2015-2017) was put in a bad situation in Baltimore behind one of the league’s top tight ends Mark Andrews. After leaving Baltimore, Hurst’s star began to shine a bit more brightly.
With more opportunities his next three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals, Hurst tallied over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns and signed a big free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
Damiere Byrd: One of the fastest Gamecocks of all-time, Damiere Byrd (2011-2014) was never a dominant player in college, but he was extremely valuable because of the threat of his speed. That threat transitioned well to the NFL where Byrd is beginning his 10th season this fall. That speed has resulted in some big plays, as well, including 6 touchdowns longer than 40 yards.
Brandon Shell: Brandon Shell (2011-2015) started games at both right tackle and left tackle in college, a trend that continued in the NFL. The nephew of Hall of Famer Art Shell, Brandon Shell has started over 60 games in his career. Now heading into his 8th NFL season, Shell will be competing for a starting tackle spot on one of the best teams in football, the Buffalo Bills.
Harold Green: One of the best running backs to ever play for the Gamecocks, Harold Green (1986-1989) also had some success at the NFL level. His best season came in his third year in the League. In the 1992 season, he made the Pro Bowl after posting almost 1400 yards from scrimmage.
South Carolina Football’s No. 20 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Kicker Ryan Succop
One of the top kickers and punters in Gamecock history, Ryan Succop (2005-2008) was “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2009 NFL Draft when he was the last player taken. Since then, whether it was with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Succop has been one of the top kickers in the league.
Succop had his best season with the Titans in 2016 when he only missed two field goals and had a touchback percentage over 70%.
2023 will be the first season in a long time without the former Gamecock leg cannon on an NFL team as Succop is expected to retire this offseason.
South Carolina Football’s No. 19 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Wide Receiver/Running Back/Kick Returner Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel (2014-2018) is a star in today’s NFL. Injuries have limited him just as they did when he was the top playmaker for South Carolina football, but when Deebo is on the field, he has been a force. A weapon at receiver and at running back, Samuel put up almost 2800 yards and 20 touchdowns in his two full seasons in 2019 and 2021.
In 2022, the 49ers’ top offensive weapon missed a few games and played hurt in several others but still put up almost 900 yards and 5 touchdowns. If Samuel can stay healthy moving forward, he will surely climb higher and higher up this list as he continues to be one of the most explosive playmakers in football.
South Carolina Football’s No. 18 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Running Back/Wide Receiver Alex Hawkins
The ACC’s Player of the Year in his final year as a Gamecock, Alex Hawkins (1956-1958) was a versatile weapon who played receiver and running back in his time in the NFL. During his decade-long career, Hawkins won two NFL Championships (pre-Super Bowl era) in his first season and last season in the League, both with the Baltimore Colts.
Hawkins is considered one of the best special teams players of all-time, excelling both as a return man and as a coverage player. He was a captain for the Colts and was the first special teams captain in the history of the NFL.
On offense, Hawkins logged 22 touchdowns in his career, 10 rushing and 12 receiving. Despite his small size, he was known as a good blocker in the run game, something he picked up in college playing in South Carolina’s option attack.
After his playing days ended, Hawkins was broadcaster with CBS for most of the 1970s.
South Carolina Football’s No. 17 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Dunta Robinson
Dunta Robinson (2000-2003) was one of a long line of excellent Gamecock cornerbacks. Robinson spent over a decade in the NFL, mostly with the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. He was a starter from the moment he stepped into the league, holding that spot until his final season. Robinson was considered the hardest-hitting cornerback in football for most of his career (although former Gamecock teammate Sheldon Brown was in the discussion).
The dreadlocked Robinson was also an excellent cover corner. He picked off 6 passes as a rookie in 2004 and had four more seasons with multiple interceptions. Robinson used his 4.3 40-yard dash speed to keep up with any receiver in the league and his long arms to knock away or intercept most passes thrown his way. At one time, he was the Houston Texans’ all-time franchise leader in career interceptions.
South Carolina Football’s No. 16 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Wide Receiver/Kick Returner Robert Brooks
A converted running back from his high school days, Robert Brooks (1988-1991) followed Sterling Sharpe as big-time Gamecock receivers to graduate and play for the Green Bay Packers. The two players overlapped with the Packers for three seasons, but when Sharpe was forced to retire due to a neck injury, Brooks stepped up in a big way.
The future Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer had his best season in ’95 before leading his team to a Super Bowl win in ’97 and another appearance in ’98. Brooks was an accomplished receiver who was Brett Favre’s top target for several seasons, and he was a great returner who returned three kicks for scores in his career (2 kickoffs and 1 punt).
South Carolina Football’s No. 15 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Quarterback/Running Back/Wide Receiver Dan Reeves
Dan Reeves (1960-1964) was a dual-threat quarterback for South Carolina football but was quickly moved to running back after he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. Reeves was very good for Tom Landry and the Cowboys as he logged over 1000 yards of offense in his second and third years in the League, was named an All-Pro, and set a Cowboys record with four touchdowns in one game.
Injuries moved Reeves to a backup role as a running back and a receiver, a role he continued playing for five more seasons while also serving as a pseudo-coach for the team. Later, Reeves was hired officially as an assistant and stayed with Dallas in that role for almost a decade before getting his first head coaching opportunity.
Reeves became a legend as a head coach in the NFL as he coached for 23 seasons, led three franchises to the playoffs, coached in four Super Bowls (three with the Denver Broncos and one with the Atlanta Falcons), and was named the AP NFL Head Coach of the Year two times for the Giants and Falcons. He was elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame after his retirement.
South Carolina Football’s No. 14 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Running Back Duce Staley
A Columbia native, Duce Staley (1995-1996) was a stud for two seasons for the Gamecocks and went on to be a 3rd-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. Staley put up three 1000-yard seasons for the Eagles, but injuries kept him from even more. Even so, the bruising back racked up over 8000 career yards of total offense with the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
After a brief stint in the Columbia media, Staley got into coaching, and he has been one of the NFL’s top assistant coaches for over a decade with the Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the Carolina Panthers.
South Carolina Football’s No. 13 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery
Alshon Jeffery (2009-2011) put up one of the best wide receiver seasons in SEC history as a sophomore in 2010 when he logged over 1500 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns for the SEC East champion Gamecocks. As a 2nd-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2012, Jeffery entered the NFL with lofty expectations, and he did not disappoint.
After an injured rookie season, Jeffery exploded onto the professional scene with 2500 yards and 17 touchdowns in his second and third seasons in Chicago. Unfortunately, more injuries and a suspension limited him to just 20 games over the next two seasons before he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Still hampered a bit by injuries, Jeffery had two majorly productive years with the Eagles that included a huge performance in the Eagles Super Bowl LII Super Bowl victory. Jeffery hung on for two more seasons in Philadelphia before injuries ended his career after the 2020 season.
South Carolina Football’s No. 12 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney
The highest-rated recruit in the history of the recruiting industry, Jadeveon Clowney (2011-2013) lived up to the hype at South Carolina and became the Gamecocks’ second player to ever be selected with the first pick of the NFL Draft (along with George Rogers). The Houston Texans got the best seasons of Clowney’s professional career as he made three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team during his five years in the AFC South.
Unfortunately, health has been a big part of Clowney’s NFL life. From his rookie year onward, Clowney experienced injuries every season of his career and only played a whole season once. In his nine seasons, Clowney has played in just 109 games but still logged 43 sacks and 90 tackles for loss, numbers that would average out to about 7 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in full seasons.
Clowney is currently a free agent but is expected to sign with a new team this offseason for his 10th season in the League.
South Carolina Football’s No. 11 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Offensive Lineman Travelle Wharton
Travelle Wharton (2000-2003) is one of the best players to ever play in Williams-Brice Stadium, regardless of position. As a true freshman, Wharton won the starting left tackle spot for the Gamecock and never gave it back during his All-American career. Despite being undersized for the tackle position, the Carolina Panthers took a chance on Wharton in the 2004 NFL Draft and moved him inside to guard.
The move paid off for the Panthers and Wharton as Carolina secured a starter at guard for most of the next decade (he signed a 1-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals but didn’t play before an injury ended his season and he returned to Carolina). Wharton never made a Pro Bowl but was considered a snub for the NFL’s All-Star Game on multiple occasions.
Since finishing his playing days, Wharton has become a coach and even spent a season working with the offensive line at the University of South Carolina. He is entering his sixth year coaching in the NFL.
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Tight End Jared Cook
One of the most talented pass-catchers to ever play for the Gamecocks, Jared Cook (2005-2007) was criminally under-targeted in college. Thankfully for his career, that changed when Cook arrived in the NFL as a 3rd-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. After several productive years in Tennessee, Cook began bouncing around the league a bit but remained one of the best tight ends in the game.
Cook would go on to a 13-year career with the Titans, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Chargers in which he would rack up enough production to finish his career 13th all-time in receiving yardage among tight ends and 19th all-time in tight end touchdowns.
Cook made two Pro Bowls but likely would have been selected to several more had he not shared the tight end spotlight with all-time greats at the position such as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, and Travis Kelce.
South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Sheldon Brown
Sheldon Brown (1998-2001) was one of the best corners to ever play for the Gamecocks and continued his strong play at the position after being taken in the 2nd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown took a couple of years to break into the starting lineup in Philly, but he became a top-10 cornerback in the League in the mid-to-late 2000s.
In just his second year as the full-time starter for the Eagles, Brown led the entire NFL in passes defended in 2005 when he knocked away 27 passes. While in Philadelphia, Brown delivered one of the biggest hits in NFL history when he jacked up Saints star running back Reggie Bush to knock a pass away.
Brown was remarkably durable during his career, starting 144 of his last 147 games. Brown was a notable Pro Bowl snub as he logged 26 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 146 passes defended in his career.
After the Eagles traded Brown to Cleveland when he turned 30, Brown still put together three productive seasons for the Browns before retiring after 11 seasons in the League.
South Carolina Football’s No. 8 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Outside Linebacker/Defensive End Melvin Ingram
A versatile athlete who played all over the defense’s front seven for South Carolina football, Melvin Ingram (2007-2011) had his best success as a defensive tackle and defensive end in college. The All-American was taken in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in the 2012 NFL Draft and became a bench player due to battles with injuries as an undersized defensive end.
After being moved to outside linebacker, Ingram became a much better player and logged 29 sacks over three seasons from 2015-2017. The EDGE rusher was voted as a Pro Bowler in the franchise’s first three seasons after moving back to Los Angeles as Ingram started rotating between defensive end and outside linebacker.
After an injury-plagued 2020, Ingram played with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 but couldn’t get going. He returned to form in 2022 with a nice season with the Miami Dolphins. He is waiting on a new contract in free agency but is expected to sign with an NFL team this offseason.
South Carolina Football’s No. 7 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph
Johnathan Joseph (2004-2005) was only able to play one full season in garnet and black but showed his true potential in the NFL. Joseph ranks 2nd all-time in passes defended behind Hall of Famer Champ Bailey (the stat was tallied closely starting in the ’90s) and has knocked away more passes than any other player since the year 2000.
After a strong five-year start to his career with the Cincinnati Bengals that saw him earn a starting spot as a rookie, Joseph became one of the best corners in football with the Houston Texans. Joseph combined lockdown man coverage skills with being one of the best tackling corners in the game. Those skills helped him to make multiple Pro Bowls and an All-Pro squad while with the Texans.
Joseph’s final year in the NFL was the 2020 season, one in which he split time between the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans. Outside of that final season at age 36, Joseph was a full-time starter for his entire career.
South Carolina Football’s No. 6 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Running Back George Rogers
The only Heisman Trophy winner to play his college ball in the state of South Carolina (sorry, Clemson fans), George Rogers (1977-1980) was an easy choice as the 1st-overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints. Rogers picked up right where he left off in college and dominated the field as a rookie, putting up his third-straight season of 1800+ yards from scrimmage (1979 and 1980 at Carolina and 1981 with the Saints)
In 1981, Rogers led the NFL in rushing yards, was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, and won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In ’82, Rogers had over 500 yards in just five games before injuries ended his season. More injuries and substance abuse battles plagued the rest of #38’s NFL life, but he still was a productive player when he was on the field.
Big George had four 1000-yard seasons in his seven-year career and led the league in rushing (1674 yards) as a rookie and in touchdowns (18 scores) in his 6th season with the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame after his playing days were over.
South Carolina Football’s No. 5 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback/Kick Returner Bobby Bryant
Bobby Bryant (1964-1967) doesn’t get enough respect as an all-time great Gamecock, but he showed just how good he could be when he got to the NFL. The high school All-American became a collegiate All-American and then became an All-Pro with the Minnesota Vikings.
Bryant is considered one of the best corners in the history of the Vikings franchise and is one of just a handful of players to play in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl appearances. Bryant made one of the most memorable plays in the history of the team when he returned a blocked field goal the length of the field in the NFC Championship Game to kickstart the game’s scoring.
When Bryant retired from football, he was in the top-10 all-time in career interceptions. He was almost elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame but never quite made it in, though, he was named one of the 50 greatest Vikings ever and was placed on the team’s 25th and 40th anniversary teams.
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
LB Tom Addison
One of the best linebackers in the NFL during the 1960s, Tom Addison (1955-1957) was well on his way to a Hall of Fame induction when a knee injury ended his career. Prior to hurting his knee, he was extremely durable (played 84 games straight) and was among the best in the sport. Addison was a 3-time All-Pro and a 4-time All-AFL All-Star for the Boston Patriots.
Addison was viewed as the best run-stopping linebacker in the AFL during his career (Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke held the honors in the NFL), but he was also good in coverage, picking off 16 passes in his 8 seasons in Boston.
Addison’s tremendous career almost never even happened as he was selected in the 12th round (a round that no longer exists) by the Baltimore Colts but elected to get a job outside of football because the pay was too low. After two seasons away from the game, Addison was offered a contract by the Patriots, and the rest is history.
South Carolina Football’s No. 3 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore (2009-2011) was an All-American for South Carolina football and led the Gamecocks into its most successful stretch of play in the history of the program. Somehow, his career became even greater at the professional level.
After becoming a 1st-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, Gilmore began an incredible career that is still going strong at age 33. So far, Gilmore has made five Pro Bowls and has been selected to three All-Pro teams, including in 2019 when he won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the sport in both interceptions and passes defended.
Gilmore won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots and finished 2nd in MVP voting for the game. He played in another Super Bowl with the Patriots and shut down former college teammate Alshon Jeffery. After being switched onto Jeffery (who had 73 yards and a touchdown before matching up with Gilmore) in the late first half, the Eagles receiver did not catch another pass.
Gilmore is still a sought-after player after 13 years in the League. His signing with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason was viewed as one of the biggest needle-movers of the free agency period. With more football in front of him, Gilmore eventually may go down as the best Gamecock to ever play in the NFL and has a chance to be the first USC alum to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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.
South Carolina Football’s Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Wide Receiver/Kick Returner Sterling Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe (1983-1987) was the best South Carolina football player to ever play in the NFL. Frankly, it isn’t even close. Sharpe was viewed as one of the two best wide receivers in football along with Jerry Rice. In fact, in some of those seasons, Sharpe outperformed Rice.
Sharpe set the NFL’s all-time single-season receptions record in 1992 (108) and then broke his own record in 1993 (112). He led the league in receptions three times, yardage once, and touchdowns twice, and he won the “Triple Crown” in ’92 when he led the league in all three categories, just the sixth time in the history of the NFL that had happened.
In addition to breaking the receptions record twice, Sharpe delivered the second-most receiving touchdowns in a season in 1994 when he caught 18 scores and became the first player to ever catch 100 balls in back-to-back seasons in ’92 and ’93.
Tragically, the great Sterling Sharpe has his career cut short while still in his prime. A neck injury suffered while blocking former Gamecock teammate Brad Edwards ended his career at age 29 in the regular season’s final game.
During Sharpe’s seven-year career in the League, he only trailed Jerry Rice in total receptions, yards, and touchdowns (Rice is the all-time leader in each category). When his brother Shannon Sharpe was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a tight end, he said confidently and correctly that he believed he was the only player in the Hall of Fame who was the “second-best” football player in his family.