Building South Carolina Football’s Mount Rushmore: Legends, Debates, and Iconic Picks
Crafting a Mount Rushmore for South Carolina football is no easy feat. Just like the challenge of picking four legends for Gamecock baseball, narrowing it down to only four football greats from a program rich in history is nearly impossible.
From standouts in the ’80s and ’90s to stars from the program’s golden run in the late 2000s and early 2010s, countless Gamecocks have left their mark. Plenty of combinations could justify inclusion, and many deserving names didn’t even make the final Top 14.
Here’s a breakdown of who made it onto South Carolina football’s Mount Rushmore, with picks from program legends, fans, and even ChatGPT.
Todd Ellis’ Mount Rushmore
Todd Ellis, the Gamecocks’ all-time passing leader and longtime radio voice, made his selections:
RB George Rogers
DE Jadeveon Clowney
WR Sterling Sharpe
QB Connor Shaw
Ellis shared glowing thoughts on each legend:
“Forget the Heisman Trophy, George should represent us on the Mount Rushmore for Carolina Football for his smile alone,” Ellis said. “Anyone who watched big George run the football knows he was one of the first true power backs with speed.”
On Clowney: “He helped usher in the best period in over 100 years of Carolina football… He was so disruptive and could change the outcome of a game. Just ask any Georgia quarterback or a Michigan tailback.”
About Sharpe: “Probably the most versatile athlete ever in a Gamecock uniform… If you’re picking a team of these guys in their prime, you should take Sterling first.”
And on Shaw: “I’m torn… but Connor Shaw was the engine that made those guys go. One of the toughest players I’ve ever seen. The son of a gun went 17-0 at home.”
Dakereon Joyner’s Mount Rushmore
Fan-favorite Dakereon Joyner, who spent six seasons with South Carolina and starred in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, also made his picks:
WR Sterling Sharpe
QB Connor Shaw
DE Jadeveon Clowney
RB George Rogers
Joyner kept it simple:
“All these guys played their position at a very high level. I could’ve put a lot more on there if it was a Mount Rushmore of 25 players. Thankful for the impact these players and many other players had on the game, and the Gamecocks!”
The Fans’ Vote
Nearly 1,000 Gamecock fans voted in a poll with 15 legendary players. The final fan-voted Mount Rushmore was:
RB George Rogers
DE Jadeveon Clowney
QB Connor Shaw
WR Sterling Sharpe
Rogers led the voting, with Clowney, Shaw, and Sharpe close behind. Notably, Marcus Lattimore finished sixth, and Jeff Grantz came in seventh.
The State’s Official Picks
The State’s own selections echoed many of the fans and experts:
RB George Rogers
DE Jadeveon Clowney
WR Sterling Sharpe
QB Connor Shaw
Each of these players left an indelible legacy:
George Rogers: The only Heisman winner in South Carolina history (1980), Rogers still holds records for career (4,958) and single-season (1,894) rushing yards. His jersey was retired, and he’s immortalized with a statue outside Williams-Brice Stadium and a boulevard named in his honor.
Jadeveon Clowney: A two-time All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, Clowney holds the program’s single-season records for tackles for loss (23.5) and sacks (13). His No. 7 jersey was retired in 2022.
Sterling Sharpe: The original versatile weapon, Sharpe finished with 169 catches for 2,497 yards and 17 touchdowns. His jersey was retired, and he’s both a South Carolina Athletics and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Connor Shaw: The most successful quarterback in program history, Shaw went 27-5 as a starter and a perfect 17-0 at home. He ranks second in passing touchdowns (56) and was a three-time 11-win season captain.
Honorable Mentions
RB Marcus Lattimore: Injuries cut his career short, but Lattimore was a force when healthy. He holds school records for career rushing touchdowns (38) and touchdowns from scrimmage (41).
WR Alshon Jeffery: Once the program’s all-time receiving leader, Jeffery remains No. 2 in career receiving yards and holds the record for a single season (1,517). His jersey was retired in 2023.
OLB Eric Norwood: A defensive machine, Norwood holds the all-time records for tackles for loss (54.5) and sacks (29).
ChatGPT’s Mount Rushmore
When asked for its take, ChatGPT selected:
RB George Rogers
DE Jadeveon Clowney
WR Alshon Jeffery
WR Sterling Sharpe
Honorable mentions from the AI included Connor Shaw, Melvin Ingram, Marcus Lattimore, DJ Swearinger, Eric Norwood, and kicker Ryan Succop.
Final Thought: Whether you favor the legends of yesteryear or the stars of the Steve Spurrier era, South Carolina football’s Mount Rushmore is a conversation that brings out the best memories and sparks strong opinions. One thing is clear—these icons shaped Gamecock history in unforgettable ways.
