Ryan Brewer, running back, 1999-2002

Brewer, an Ohio native, didn’t expect his football career to end as soon as it did after he left USC.

“It was a little tough trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” Brewer said. “While playing, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I love Coach (Lou) Holtz, but he was my last boss.

“Being a Gamecock is just special. When I first started (the company), it was kind of difficult because I was a one-man-show. People would call, just to chat, and I was trying to work. I got a lot of calls when I was on the job – and they didn’t want a fence. They just wanted me to come out there and talk, or whatever. But that was a long time ago and things have changed.

“When I first started, a lot of my competitors would say, ‘You’re buying a fence from a football player, and not a fence guy.’ But I’ve been in this for a long time and I know what I’m doing. It’s been a fun, growing experience.”