Open Poll - Best Gamecock player (any sport) to not go pro [Archive]

RoosterBooster

05-04-2005, 11:53 AM

Football-Deboer and The Chief
Basketball-Melvin was as fast with a basketball as anyone
Baseball-Matt Threehouse, it was due to arm trouble, but when he
was healthy the best overhand curve we have ever had.

RoosterBooster

05-04-2005, 12:03 PM

I think Seawright was drafted by the Jets but I don't know if he ever played, but he had a great nose for the ball.

snoopcockycock

05-05-2005, 12:13 PM

ROOSTABOOSTA,
who is the chief?

USCinthe803

05-05-2005, 05:38 PM

I know he played for the Ravens for a little bit but it's a shame that Ryan Breeeeeeeeeewer didn't get a better shot.

RoosterBooster

05-05-2005, 06:02 PM

Kevin \"The Chief\" Hendrix

Lil Jerry Seinfeld

07-15-2005, 08:23 AM

Zam Frederick & Mike Hold

morgan n' 7

07-31-2005, 09:17 PM

Ryan Bathae. Guy was a tough, tough receiver. Had good speed, size, and hands. I used to watch Michael Irvin in the NFL and think "Bathae could play similar to him". I still remember his big catch&run in '87 vs. the taters(Green scored soon after). He took up for his teamates too. He slung that miami player around like a rag doll after the cheap shot on Ellis.

cockyhoskins

07-31-2005, 09:23 PM

You mean this Miami fight:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?p=15183#post15183
:thumbsup:

morgan n' 7

07-31-2005, 09:32 PM

You mean this Miami fight:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?p=15183#post15183
:thumbsup:
Awesome! This site is too much. I'm like a kid in a candy store.:bow:

Spurticus

07-31-2005, 09:39 PM

I don't know if he went pro , but Seawright used to just dominate.

I actually coached James in little league baseball years ago. I watched James develop into a Monster Linebacker for Hillcrest High and saw most of his home games when he played football for the Cocks.

James was drafted by Buffalo and put on injured reserves his first year as he re-injured his knee in Training Camp. It was an injury he got against NC State a few games before he finished his senior year at South Carolina. James was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams the following year, but re-injured the knee again in training camp with them, and never got back into the game. I don't really know where James went from there, but I'll add my vote for James Seawright as well since he didn't play a down in the pros.

halfcocked

08-22-2005, 01:39 PM

Seawright was great. Bethea was great.

In basketball, I thought McKie should have played pro ball.

MDCox

08-22-2005, 01:45 PM

I thought Steve Tannyhill. He never played except for NFL camp right. I thought he was a great college player. He was much better than Anthony Wright in college comparing numbers, yet Wright has had about a 5 year stay in the NFL.

cockyhoskins

08-22-2005, 02:04 PM

To me, Wright had the most talent of any QB, but we took very little advantage of all that talent. It's almost a shame.

indiancock

08-22-2005, 02:21 PM

Got to be Tommy Suggs

cockfan06

08-22-2005, 03:06 PM

Paul Vogal was pretty good too... Don't think he ever made it either.

buzzcock

08-22-2005, 09:49 PM

Guys......tell me that you're not forgetting about Jeff Grantz.......probably the best two sports player Carolina has ever had........at the Cockpit and the Sarge.

or......tell me that he did go pro somewhere. He was excellent at each position whether on the diamond or under center. The best part was his modesty. He took each of them in stride and wasn't beating his chest about his exploits.

Go Cocks!!!:kill:

cockyhoskins

08-22-2005, 10:20 PM

Grantz was drafted and played for the Dolphins. You can see every draft pick from the Gamecocks here:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=965

slim

08-22-2005, 11:20 PM

I would say Bethea also. If the ball was anywhere near him he would go up and get it. He was just an incredible leaper. I think he did bounce around the Arena league.

spurrierismyhomeboy

08-22-2005, 11:44 PM

Id say Mckie in BBALL, unless Roche didnt which Im almost positive he did, but Ill throw it in there.

Football, has to be Petty, or if you want to be a smartass Watson worked his way to a 5 yr deal.

Spurticus

08-23-2005, 07:32 AM

Id say Mckie in BBALL, unless Roche didnt which Im almost positive he did, but Ill throw it in there.

Football, has to be Petty, or if you want to be a smartass Watson worked his way to a 5 yr deal.

John Roche was drafted and played several years in pro Basketball. He was drafted by the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association and played most of of his career with them. If I remember, he was usually in the top 5 in the ABA in scoring his first few years as a pro. He also played a couple of years with the Utah ABA team, until the leauge folded. He finished up his career playing a couple of years in the Denver Nuggets organization in the NBA. Denver was one of the few expansion teams that came over to the NBA, from the ABA. If memory serves me correctly, I believe John also played a season or two with the Lakers.?? I'll have to look that one up.

BigBooRogers

08-23-2005, 12:32 PM

Grantz was drafted and played for the Dolphins. You can see every draft pick from the Gamecocks here:

http://www.cockytalk.com/showthread.php?t=965

Grantz never played in an NFL game:

The NFL seemed not to take notice of Grantz's abilities, as the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the 17th round. After rookie mini-camp, he returned to Columbia where he became a graduate assistant for coach Jim Carlen for two years before getting into the business.

http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/paper247/news/2005/07/13/Sports/Gamecock.Greats.Jeff.Grantz-962076.shtml

Muffeyduffer

08-24-2005, 01:37 PM

Jeff Grantz, outstanding football and baseball player.

cockyhoskins

10-04-2005, 09:47 PM

Grantz never played in an NFL game:

http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/paper247/news/2005/07/13/Sports/Gamecock.Greats.Jeff.Grantz-962076.shtml

I learn something new everyday. Thanks BigBoo.

Section5Gamecock

10-06-2005, 03:34 PM

Del Wilks

Gaichon

10-07-2005, 08:38 AM

FB - I'm going with Deboer. I think he would have been a great west-coast Fullback.

BB - Watson (speed, ball handling, defense)

cockyhoskins

10-14-2005, 11:59 AM

Watson or McKie in BB

I think the consensus is DeBoer in football

Cock Landers

08-02-2006, 12:19 PM

FB - I'm going with Deboer. I think he would have been a great west-coast Fullback.

BB - Watson (speed, ball handling, defense)

I agree completely. Maybe David Marchbanks in baseball.

CockEyes

08-02-2006, 12:24 PM

Marchbanks is in the minors now

Singaporecock

08-02-2006, 12:43 PM

If we're only counting major league...we must mention Kip B...unless he's made it since I last heard!

Ol' Bald Coach

08-02-2006, 01:05 PM

Several posters have mentioned Zam Fredrick - if I am not mistaken he played pro ball in Europe....Italy I think. But if you are only counting US professional league then he is a legitimate choice.

How about Todd Ellis? He was a great USC QB but he was cut fairly quickly by Denver. 3 plays and out and then pack your bags.

Rob Deboer is a top pick also. The Nebraska freight train. God he could run over you. Best caucasian running back USC has had.

Love Boat Captain

08-02-2006, 01:21 PM

Ryan Bethea might be the best college football player to not go pro. I grew up with him. We used to play little league together. His Decker Texaco team out at Polo Road used to kick the %$#@ out of teams back in the day. He was a super star in Columbia when he was in the fifth grade. Scouts used to come to our little league All-Star games. I can assure you they were not there to watch me play Midgett football. He played with the Richland Northeast Varsity team as an eight grader. He was the number one recruit in the nation at one time. I know he was never lower than 13 at the beginning of his senior year and only moved up. He was what 6'3"-6'4" 215-220, he could run like a deer and was as strong as a tight end. He had hands like Chris Carter. He was also tough as nails.

As you can tell he will always be one of my favorites.

TStone

08-02-2006, 01:24 PM

Ryan Brewer, no doubt.

The Dude

08-02-2006, 01:49 PM

BJ Mckie had no defense.
Don't get me wrong, I was a huge fan of the guy, but facts are facts.
So I'll have to go with Melvin Watson in basketball.
As far as football...well, I was also a huge fan of Ryan Brewer, until I realized his off-the-field personality...completely arrogant. After the year the team beat Clemson with him on the team, he went around to several parties and got very upset when the red carpet was not rolled out for him. Shouting out stuff like "I JUST GOT DONE BEATING CLEMSON, AND THIS IS THE THANKS I GET!?"
I know that is off topic from the thread, but I had to chime in on the idea of Brewer being the best football player to not go pro. Then again, this does not have anything to do with his abilities as a football player, just kinda put him into a negative light in my opinion...
So, I'll go with the Mullet-Warrior for the football category :)

BigBlairCock

08-02-2006, 02:09 PM

McKie is playing pro ball.........just in Europe.

willy

08-02-2006, 02:48 PM

Football - This is tough, but at first blush I'll say Rob Deboer

Basketball - BJ McKie

Rob DeBoer sounds good to me CH.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

carolinathru&thru

08-02-2006, 05:35 PM

McKie in basketball for sure. I am still ticked off to this day he didn't drafted. How did he not get drafted?

MauldinCock87

08-02-2006, 05:45 PM

Marchbanks is in the minors now

nope. my mom talked to his mom a few weeks back and he has given up on baseball. never made it. she said it caused him too much pressure.

damn, he was good. i knew he shouldve never left after his junior year. SEC pitcher of the year...but the he got rocked by stanford in the CWS. maybe im just bias cuz he went to my high school but he was pretty good.

gamecockfan05

08-02-2006, 06:04 PM

How can you say Melvin Watson over BJ! BJ was much better.

ddamonmims

08-02-2006, 07:57 PM

Mike Rathe, Jermale Kelly

cockyhoskins

08-02-2006, 08:05 PM

Marchbanks is a friend of ours. He is coaching high school baseball now.

SCWhit

08-02-2006, 08:35 PM

Rathe?!?!? Did he even ever start for the Gamecocks?

I'm no expert, but Deboer was the name I first thought of. I'm partial 'cause he played when I was at Carolina.

Wright really surprises me as an NFL QB. We obviously didn't get everything out of him when he was at USC. I think he is a very solid back-up in the NFL and wouldn't mind it if he were back on the Cowboys.

crevil3lf

08-02-2006, 08:54 PM

What about Jamcia Jackson i cant recall if he got picked up but he was very good and i believe the FS position

ddamonmims

08-02-2006, 09:53 PM

[QUOTE]
[quote=SCWhit]Rathe?!?!? Did he even ever start for the Gamecocks?

Check out his stats for the Augusta Spartans. I know he is not in the big leagues, but its still pretty impressive for someone who didnt see much time on the field.

mickeyrivers

08-02-2006, 10:02 PM

i'd probably say todd ellis (did he ever get a shot?) for football... bj mackie in basketball. mackie is too old now, but it is a shame he wasn't given more of a chance coming out of college. i think he could have been a poor man's dwayne wade and come off the bench as a scorer for some team.