South Carolina Football: Top-5 (Bottom-5?) NFL Draft busts in Gamecock history
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football's Top-5 All-Time NFL Draft Busts
No. 3 Offensive Linemen Rusty Russell and Calvin Stephens
Offensive linemen are not often thought of as NFL Draft busts, but former Gamecocks Rusty Russell (drafted Round 3, Pick 4; 60th overall in the 1984 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles) and Calvin Stephens (drafted Round 3, Pick 1; 56th overall in the 1991 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots) could qualify.
Russell never even played in the NFL, an awful outcome for a 3rd round pick. Stephens played just one year with the Patriots before his career ended. Both Russell and Stephens were wasted picks by their organizations despite relatively high expectations.
Two Pro Bowl offensive linemen were taken after Russell, including 3-time Super Bowl champ Guy McIntyre who was taken later in the same 3rd round. A Pro Bowl big fella was picked after Stephens, as well, as borderline Hall of Famer (and 3-time Super Bowl champ) Erik Williams was picked later in the 3rd round.