South Carolina Football: Ranking the greatest Gamecock hidden gems in NFL Draft history

South Carolina Football's Greatest NFL Draft Hidden Gems:
No. 1 Linebacker Tom Addison

Tom Addison (Round 12, Pick 141; Baltimore Colts; 1958 NFL Draft) is one of the biggest "what if" stories of all Gamecock NFL stars (along with Sterling Sharpe). Addison was picked in the '58 draft but didn't get into the league until the Boston Patriots signed him in 1960.

The Patriots were grateful that they got their hands on Addison as he is one of the best defensive players in franchise history. However, his career was cut short by a devastating knee injury at the age of 31.

Addison was believed to be the best run-stopping linebacker in the AFL during his era (when Dick Butkus came up with the Chicago Bears, he was compared to Tom Addison). He also was an elite coverage linebacker as he picked off 16 passes from the position despite playing in a non-passing era of football.

Before his injury, Addison was an All-Rookie performer and then made four All-Pro squads in a row from 1961-1964. He was still playing at a high level the next few seasons before the injury cut short his '67 campaign and his career. Had he tacked on a couple more seasons, he would have been a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame (and probably should be inducted anyway).

Not many 12th round picks have made it big in the NFL (it doesn't even exist any more), but Tom Addison might have been the best of them all.