Top 50 Gamecocks of all time: 50-41

How to determine the best?

Is it career honors, career records, that one standout performance that keyed a crucial victory? Is it a banner or retired jersey hanging in the stadium? Is it because those are the names answered when asked, “Who was the greatest?”

Research plus interviews with former players, staff and fans have yielded a list of the Top 50 South Carolina football players of all time. Be sure to weigh in on where you agree or disagree with our list.

Note: Professional careers were not taken into account. The list reflects what each did at USC. We will reveal the next 10 in the list each day this week

50	ANTONIO ALLEN, DB, 2008-11 One of the best ball-hawks in program history, Allen holds a record that may never be broken – a takeaway in seven straight regular-season games, three which he took for scores.
49	RICK SANFORD, DB, 1975-78 Sanford was a first-team All-American as a senior and really began the Gamecocks’ moniker of “Defensive Back University” – it helped that his Rock Hill roots became a pipeline.
48	A.J. CANN, OL, 2011-14 A rock on the left side, Cann stepped into the starting lineup as a freshman and only stepped out once in a 52-game career.
47	LOU SOSSAMON, OL, 1940-42 A second-team All-American in 1942, Sossamon was an All-Southern Conference center in each of his final two years.
46	TRAVELLE WHARTON, OL, 2000-03 A mainstay on the line (44 starts in 46 games), Wharton’s mammoth frame keyed USC’s rise to respectability under Lou Holtz.
45	CLYDE “MULE” BENNETT, SE/DE, 1951-53 An All-ACC and third-team All-American performer as a senior, Bennett played both ways for a team that won 17 games in three seasons.
44	ED PITTS, OL, 1957-59 One of the finest linemen in program history, Pitts was first-team all-ACC in his final two years and an All-American in 1959.
43	BOBBY BRYANT, DB/KR, 1964-66 A threat to return interceptions and kicks, Bryant was a first-team All-American in 1966 and still holds the school record for USC’s longest punt return for a touchdown (98, NC State, 1966).
42	TONY WATKINS, DB, 1991-94 An artist at breaking up passes (21 career, with six interceptions), Watkins also could have written a primer on wrapping ball-carriers. He ranks second in career unassisted tackles with 204.
41	T.J. JOHNSON, OL, 2009-12 He started every game for four years (53) and clogged the middle of the line for some of the winningest teams in program history.

ALMOST THERE

Who else could have made it? While you’ll have to stay tuned this week for the rest of the Top 50, several other candidates were nominated. In no particular order:

• LB Rodney Paulk, 2006-07, 2010-11: Played in more games (57) than anyone.
• RB/WR Ryan Brewer, 1999-2002: One of the greatest single-game performances in history.
• DB Chris Major, 1983-86: Career leader with 43 broken-up passes.
• QB/WR Syvelle Newton, 2003-06: Jack-of-all-trades who stabilized Steve Spurrier’s beginning.
• PK/P Spencer Lanning, 2007-10: Career leader in punting average.
• LB Jasper Brinkley, 2006, 2008: 107 tackles in 2006.
• OL Sam DeLuca, 1954-56: Third-team All-American.
• QB Stephen Garcia, 2008-11: Third in career passing yards; his best game dethroned No. 1 Alabama.
• QB Dan Reeves, 1962-64: Three-year starter with over 2,500 yards.
• QB Mike Hold, 1984-85: The Comeback Kid blessed with Black Magic.
• DL John LeHeup, 1970-72: First-team All-American.
• DL Kevin “Chief” Hendrix, 1985-88: Bruising lineman with 167 career tackles.
• LB Carl Hill, 1984-86: 132 tackles in 1984.
• WR Zola Davis, 1995-98: Fourth in career receptions and yardage.
• WR Jermale Kelly, 1997-2000: Seventh in career yardage, and caught “The Fade.”
• LB Mike Durrah, 1980-82: Third in career tackles (396).
• RB Jay Lynn Hodgin, 1972-74: 2,400 career yards and nearly 5 per carry.
• QB Johnny Gramling, 1951-53: First 2,000-yard passer.
• OL Randy Wheeler, 1993-96: 31-game starter at right tackle.
• PK Ryan Succop, 2005-08: Second in career field goals and hit two of the three longest in school history.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Top 50 Gamecocks of all time: 50-41."