WRHI’s Top 75 High School Football Players
Over the past 3 weeks, WRHI has released 25 of its top 75 players (to ever play on the WRHI airwaves) each week. In addition, 2 “legacy” coaches were named each week. Below is the list of the 6 coaches and 75 players (as voted on by fans). The order of the coaches and players is based on their week of release.
Walter Jenkins (1913-1972) During WRHI’s first decade of live sports broadcasts, Coach Jenkins established the area’s first football dynasty. He is credited by many for making football a focal point of Rock Hill culture. From 1945-1953, Bearcat accomplishments included a 26-game winning streak, three undefeated seasons and three SC State Championships! As the Rock Hill Bearcats Coach, Jenkins won at least 110 games and over 100 of his players received scholarship offers to major colleges. Years of Service 1945-1958. SC State Champs 1945, 1946, 1953. Head Coach Shrine Bowl 1946. York County Sports Hall of Fame 1999.
Strait Herron: South Pointe Stallions (2011-2018), Legion Collegiate (2019-Current) During a seven-year span, he set or tied multiple state records including five state championships. His five wins tied for most titles in SC history and his four consecutive state titles tied a state record. In 2017 the Stallions finished as the highest nationally ranked team in South Carolina history at #3. Herron was named a Carolina Panthers’ coach of the week winner in 2015 and was the US Army All American head coach in 2018. Overall record is 109-14. (102-13 in seven years as South Pointe head coach with a 31-3 playoff record, the highest winning percentage in state history.) York County Sports Hall of Fame 2019.
Jim Ringer: Rock Hill Bearcats (1983-2004) After nearly two decades with no championship appearances, Ringer led the Bearcats back to statewide dominance with four state championship appearances. Rock Hill claimed statewide titles in 2002 & 2004 and were runners-up in 1990 & 1996. Overall Record 227-132 including a 197-96 record with the Bearcats. With Coach Wallace, initiated youth training aligned with high schools. Head Coach for 2002 Shrine Bowl & North/South Game. SC Coaches HOF 2010. York County Sports Hall of Fame 2005.
Jimmy “Moose” Wallace: Lewisville Lions (1983-1986) Northwestern Trojans (1987-2004 & 2007-2010) As a senior football player at Rock Hill High, Wallace was team captain, named Mr. Bearcat and elected class president. He claimed his first state championship as head coach at Lewisville in 1985. During 22 seasons as head coach at Northwestern, he made it to the state championship game seven times, winning titles in 1989, 1993 and 2010. Overall record 287-82 including a 237-61 record with the Trojans. Head Coach for Shrine Bowl & North/South Game, Finalist for 1997 National Coach of Year, Member of six Halls of Fame including SC Coaches HOF 2011. York County Sports Hall of Fame 2003.
Tommy Oates (1923-2004): York High graduate and local native Tommy Oates, coached York High to three consecutive undefeated seasons including a 27-game win streak and only one loss in four seasons. He later became coach of a struggling Rock Hill team that would grow into the area’s most dominant team of the 1960s. Oates’ best seasons were 1967 and 1968 when the Bearcats were named statewide runners-up for two consecutive seasons. He influenced many Tri-County head coaches. Tommy served as head coach of the York Green Dragons 1946-1958 & Rock Hill High Bearcats 1959-1970. (Overall record 156-68) Shrine Bowl Head Coach 1961. SC Coaches HOF 1994. Highway 5 between Rock Hill and York is named in his honor. York County Sports Hall of Fame 1998.
Kyle Richardson: Northwestern Trojans (2011-2015) In five years as head coach, he won two state championships and played for a third. Richardson’s “Air-Raid” Offense set nearly one-hundred statewide season and career records. He led Northwestern to a #7 National Ranking in 2013 (2nd highest final ranked team in SC history), 2014 Carolina Panthers’ Coach of the Year and 2013 Nike South Carolina Coach of the Year. Overall record of 58-13, including 14-2 in playoff games. In 2016, Richardson joined the Clemson University coaching staff where he has won 2 National Championships and 4 ACC titles. York County Sports Hall of Fame inductee-2019.
Tommy “Mojo” Addison (1936 – 2011) Lancaster LB 1949-1953 (’55) – USC 1955-1958, NFL Baltimore Colts 1958, AFL Boston Patriots 1960 – 1967, AFL All-Star 1960, 61, 62, 63, 64. Patriots 50 Greatest Players, First President of AFL Players Assoc., SC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Clifford Boyd (1949-1986) Fort Mill RB 1963-1966 (’67) – 1967 HS MVP, Wofford College 1967-1972, All State, Wofford HOF and All-Time Team, American Minor League Football 1972-1981, AFA League’s Charter HOF member/1981, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2011.
James Frank “Stoney” Carothers (1928-2010) WTS/Rock Hill QB 1943-1946 (’47) – 1946 Shrine Bowl MVP, 1945, 1946 SC Champs. Clemson 1947-51, played in 1949 Gator Bowl and 1951 Orange Bowl. U.S. Army/Korea w/two Bronze stars.
“Big” Bill Estes (1938-2010) Rock Hill T/K 1943-1946 (’47) – 1945, 1946 Shrine Bowl – only SC or NC player selected multiple times, 1945, 1946 SC Champs, USC.
Evans “Buck” George (1932-2013) Rock Hill RB 1947-1950 (’51) – 1950 Shrine Bowl. Nicknamed the “Rock Hill Rocket, was considered SC’s greatest Native American player, Clemson 1951-1954, Tiger record for longest run from scrimmage – 90 yds, NFL WA (1954) York County Sports Hall of Fame/1999.
Bill Nies-Rock Hill LB 1957-1960 (’60) – USC 1960-1963, played both ways, NFL/NY Jets 1966, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2004.
Broadus Thomasson (1934-2020) Rock Hill RB 1950-1953 (’54) – 1953 Shrine Bowl, 1953 SC Champ, UGA 1954-1957.
Jeff Burris-Northwestern RB/DB 1986-1989 (’90) – 1989 Shrine Bowl, 1989 State Champion, All American, Athlete of Year in SC/NC, Notre Dame DB/PR/RB 1990-1994,All-American 1993, NFL CB BUFF/IND/CIN – 1994-2003, Buffalo 1st Round Pick, College Coach, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2003.
Will Brice-Lancaster P 1989-1992 (’93) – 1989,1990 State Runner Up, University of VA P 1994-1997, NFL P St.Lou/Cin 1997-99.
Josh Davis–York WR 1995-1998 (’99) – 1998 Shrine Bowl, 3x All-Region,York High HOF, Marshall WR 2000-2005, 4x All MAC, NFL WR MIA/NO/MIN/CAR, NFL Europe, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2017.
Ernest Dixon-Fort Mill LB 1986-1989 (’90) – USC LB 1990-1994, Captain 2 years, NFL LB NO/OAK/ KC 1994-1998, Pro-Bowl 1984, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2003.
Gerald Dixon-Rock Hill LB 1982-1985 (’86) – 1987 Shrine Bowl, Mr. Bearcat, USC LB 1988-1992, All American, ACC Player of Year, NFL LB CLE/CIN/SD/OAK 1992-2001, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2003.
Lamont Hall-Clover-TE 1990-1993 (’94) – Clemson TE 1994-1998, NFL Green Bay/NO 1998-2005.
Chris “Hammer” Hope-Rock Hill DB 1994-1997 (’98) – 1997 Shrine Bowl, 1996 State RU, 1997 Mr. Football, All American/All State/All Region, Florida State DB 1998-2002, National Champ 2000, NFL-PIT/TN/ATL 2001-2012, Super Bowl XL Champ/ Pittsburgh, Pro Bowl 2008, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2015.
Marco “Co-Co” Hutchinson-Northwestern LB 1993-1996 (’97) – 1996 Shrine Bowl, 1993 State Champ, USC 1997-2001.
Tim “Hitman” Jones-Rock Hill LB 1986-1989 (’90) -1989 Shrine Bowl, SC Defensive Player of the Year 1987 & 1988, Clemson LB 1990-1994, 3x All American, NFL LB TB 1994, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2007.
Johnathan Joseph-Northwestern DB 1998-2001 (’02) – 2001 Shrine Bowl, 2001 State Runner Up, All State, USC DB 2002-2006 , NFL CIN/HOU/TN 2006-current, Cincinnati 1st round pick, Pro Bowl 2011 & 2012, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2015.
Benjamin Watson-Northwestern TE 1995-1998 (’99) – 1998 Shrine Bowl, 1997 State Runner Up, Duke 1999-2000, UGA 2001-2003, All SEC, NFL–CLE/NO/BAL 2004- present, New England 1st Round Pick. Super Bowl XXXIX Champ/New England, NFL Man of the Year Finalist 2017, Bart Starr Award Winner 2018, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2015.
Jadeveon “J D” Clowney–South Pointe DE 2007-2010 (’11) – 2010 Shrine Bowl, 2008 State Champion, 2010 State Runner Up, 2010 Mr. Football, 2010 USA Today All American, HS All American game, 2010 ESPN #1 National Player, USC 2011-2013 DE, SEC Defensive Player of Year, ESPY Award, NFL DE HOU/SEA/TEN 2014-present, Houston 1ST Round Pick, Pro Bowl ’16, ’17, ’18, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2019.
Stephon “Gilley” Gilmore-South Pointe QB 2004-2008 (’09) – 2008 Shrine Bowl, 2008 State Champion, 2008 Mr. Football, All American, All Region, All State, HS All American game, USC CB 2009-2012 – All American. NFL CB 2012-present, Buffalo 1st Round Pick, Super Bowl LIII Champion/New England, 3 Pro Bowls – ’16,’18,’19, NFL Defensive Player of the Year – 2019, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2017.
Mitchell Jeter (1994-2018) Rock Hill DL 2008-2011 (’12) 2011 Shrine Bowl, The Citadel DL 2012-2016, Southern Conference Player of Year, All American, All Conference.
Derion “D K” Kendrick-South Pointe QB/WR 2014-2017 (’18) – 2017 Shrine Bowl, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 State Champion, 2017 SC Player of Year, 2016 Big 22 Player of Year, SC #1 rated player by ESPN/247 sports & rivals, Army All American game, Clemson DB 2018 – present, 2018 National Champ, 2019 National Champ R/U.
Cordarrelle “C P” Patterson-Northwestern WR 2004-2008 (’09) – 2008 North South Game, State Runner Up 2008, Hutchinson CC 2010-2011, All American, Tennessee WR 2012, NFL MN/OAK/NE/CHI 2013-present, Minnesota 1st Round Pick, Super Bowl 53 Champ/New England, Pro Bowl 2013, 2016, 2019, NFL Team of Decade 2010s.
Jaleel Scott-Rock Hill WR 2009-2012 (’13) – Elsworth CC 2013-2015, New Mexico State WR 2016-2017, All Conference, NFL BAL 2018- present.
Justin Worley-Northwestern QB 2007-2010 (’11) – 2010 Shrine Bowl, 2010 State Champion, 2009 & 2008 State Runner Up, 2010 All American, 2010 first Gatorade National Player of the Year from SC, UFA, Tennessee QB 2011-2014, NFL CHI 2015, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2019.
Butch Ashley-York DE 1962-1965 (’66) – 1965 Shrine Bowl, State Champ Runner-up 1963, 3x All Area/All Conf, York HS MVP 1965, York High HOF.
Ricky Brown (1949-1981) Rock Hill DE 1965-1968 (’69) – USC LB 1969-1972, NFL GB Packers 1973
Sammy “Harpo” Fewell-Winthrop Training School OL/DL 1953-1956 (’57) – USC 1957-61, NFL Chicago Bears 1961-1963, Montreal Allouettes 1964.
Ernest “Chester” McCarter (1943-2014) York QB 1960-1962 (’63) – 1961 & 62 York HS MVP – Jersey #12 Retired, All-Conference/All-State, York High HOF, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2002
Bill “Mule Train” McQuirt (1941-2016) -Lancaster FB/LB 1955-1958 (’59) – 1958 Shrine Bowl, Outstanding Back Award, Clemson, ACC Freshman of Year 1959.
Jimmy Pope-Rock Hill End 1963-1966 (’67) – 1966 Shrine Bowl, 1966 State Runner Up, USC 1966-1969, ACC Champ 1969, Peach Bowl 1969.
Phillip Adams-Rock Hill DB 2002-2005 (’06) – 2005 North/South Game, 2002 & 2004 State Champ, SC State 2006-2010, 1st team All Mid East Athletic Conf. 2009, NFL DB SF/NE/SEA/OAK/NYJ 2010-2015
Gerald Dixon-Rock Hill LB 1982-1985 (’86) – 1987 Shrine Bowl, Mr. Bearcat, USC LB 1988-1992, All American, ACC Player of Year, NFL LB CLE/CIN/SD/OAK 1992-2001, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2003.
Leon Hope-York RB/DB 1968-1971 (’72) – 1971 Shrine Bowl, York High HOF, Clemson RB 1972–1975, 1st African American from YHS to receive an athletic scholarship.
Jay Killen-York OL 1983-1986 (’87) – 1989 Shrine Bowl, York High HOF, USC 1987-1991, Team Captain 1991, All South, All Atlantic, All Independent, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2009.
Ronnie McGill-Clover RB – 2000-2003, 2002 North-South MVP, North Carolina 2003-2006, 2x ALL-ACC selection. Player Scout for New England Patriots.
Derek “Toot” Ross-Northwestern QB 1994-1997 (’98) – 1997 Shrine Bowl, 1997 State Runner Up, All-State, Ohio State DB 1998-2002, 2nd Team All Big 10, NFL DB DAL/ATL/MO/MIN/AZ 2002-2004, NFL Defensive Rookie of Year Runner-Up 2002.
Rick Sanford-Northwestern DB 1971-1974 (’75) – 1974 Shrine Bowl, USC1975-1978, 4x Letterman, All American 1978, NLF DB NE/SEA 1979-1985, New England 1st Round Pick – a first for USC, Pro Bowl 1981, 1983, 1984, AFC interceptions leader 1983, Charter Member York County Sports Hall of Fame/1998
Ko Simpson-Rock Hill DB 1999-2002 (’03) – 2002 Shrine Bowl, 2002 State Champs, USC DB 2003-2006, SEC Freshman of the Year 2004, 2x All-SEC and 2x All American.
Randy Smith-Fort Mill RB 1971-1974 (’75) – 1974 Shrine Bowl, FM MVP, All –Conference, All-State, Wofford LB 1975-1979, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2001.
Arkee Whitlock-Rock Hill RB 1998-2001 (’02) – 2001 Shrine Bowl, Coffeyville CC, Southern Illinois 2002-2006, 1st team All-American 2005, 2006, SIU Hall of Fame 2013, NFL 2007-2008, CFL 2009-2011.
Dedric Wise-Northwestern DB 1993-1996 (’97) – 1996 Shrine Bowl Def MVP.
Skyler Delong-Nation Ford P 2014-2017 (’18) Nationally ranked #3 punter, Army All American Game, Alabama P 2018 – present.
Gerald Dixon Jr.-Northwestern DL 2007-2010 (’11) – 2010 Shrine Bowl, 2010 SC Champ, 2008, 2009 State R/U, USC DL 2011-2015, NFL ATL/DAL 2015.
David Erby-Rock Hill 2002-2005 (’06) – 2005 North South Game/MVP Defense, 2004 State Champion, All-Region, All-State 2005, SC State 2006-2010, 2009 &10 1st Team All-MEAC & All American, 2010 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year
Tori Gurley-Rock Hill WR 2004-2007 (’08) – 2004 State Champ, New Hampton Prep & USC WR 2008-2010, NFL GB 2011-2014, CFL 2015-2017.
DeVonte Holloman-South Pointe DB 2008 (’09) – 2008 State Champion, 2008 Shrine Bowl Selection, 2013 6th RD NFL Draft Pick by Dallas, USC DB 2009-2012, NFL/Dallas (2013-2014), Current Head Coach of South Pointe High.
Anthony “Lit Man” Johnson-South Pointe WR 2010-2013 (’12) – 2013 North South Game, 2011 State Champ, Univ. of Buffalo WR 2016-2018, NFL TB/LA/PIT 2019-present.
Robert Joseph-Northwestern WR 2008-2011 (’12) – 2010 North South Game, 2010 State Champ, 2008 & 2009 State Runner Up, holds state record for pass receptions in a game (22) and in a season (150).
Beau Nunn-York OL 2011-2014 (‘15) – 2014 State Runner Up, All State, All Region, App State OL 2015-2017, NFL DET/SD 2018-present
Joe Blackwell (1944-2016) York OL 1957-1960 (’61) – 1960 North South Game, All State, All Conf, 160 State Champ Runner-up, Clemson 1961-1964, York High HOF.
Bill Few (1936-2014) Rock Hill QB 1950-1953 (’54) – 1953 North South Game, Clemson RB 1954-1957, two-way player for Clemson, Orange Bowl 1958. York County Sports Hall of Fame/2007.
“Ragin’” Ray Head (1935-2005) Rock Hill RB 1950-1953 (’54) – 1953 Shrine Bowl, 1953 SC Champ, UGA 1954-1957.
Hugh “Mustang” Mauldin (1944-2014) Rock Hill RB 1958-1961 (’62) – 1961 Shrine Bowl, 1961 North South Game, Clemson 1962-1965, led the ACC in Punt Returns/Rushing yards, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2013.
Pat Burris-Northwestern DB 1983-1986 (’87) – 1986 Shrine Bowl, Arkansas DB 1989-1990.
Chris “Pokey” Cobb (1956-1990) Clover RB, 1973-1976 (’77) 1976 Shrine Bowl MVP, So. Ill. Univ., Led the NCAA in All Purpose Yards for 2 years, CFL Hamilton Tiger Cats.
Skip Dunham-Rock Hill LB 1971-1974 (’75) – 1974 Shrine Bowl, RH MVP, SC State LB 1975-1980, NFL Eagles 1980.
Dee Feaster-Northwestern RB 1991-1994 (’95) – 1994 Shrine Bowl, 1993 State Champion, Florida State 1995-1998.
Jonathan Hefney-Rock Hill DB 1999-2002 (’03) – 2002 Shrine Bowl, 2002 State Champ, Hargrave Academy, Univ. Tennessee DB 2004-2008, All-SEC Freshman 2004, 1st team All SEC 2007, NFL DB TB/DET/TN 2008-2010, CFL 2009-2015, CFL Rookie of Year 2009, All-Star 2009, 2011, 2012.
Jimmy Kiser-Northwestern QB 1971-1974 (’75) -1974 Shrine Bowl, All Area/All State, Furman, All Conference/MVP, Vanderbilt Coach, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2002.
Leonard “Cookie” Massey-Northwestern DB 1985-1988 (’89) – 1988 Shrine Bowl, North Carolina 1989-1993. York County Sports Hall of Fame/2017.
Tracey McGriff-Lancaster RB 1987-1990 (’91) – 1990 Shrine Bowl, 1989, 1990 State Runner Up, SC State RB 1991.
Steve Mellon-Northwestern OL 1988-1991 (’92) – 1991 MVP North South Game, Carson Newman OL/DL 1992-1996, 2x Division II All American. York County Sports Hall of Fame/2007.
Vance Walker-Fort Mill DL 2001-2004 (’05) – 2004 Shrine Bowl, Georgia Tech 2005-2009, 2x ACC 1st team, NFL DE ATL/OAK/KC/DEN 2009-2016, Super Bowl 50 Champ/Denver, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2017.
Tony Watkins-Rock Hill LB 1987-1990 (’90) – 1989 Shrine Bowl, USC DB/LB 1990-1992, NFL Europe 1990-1992.
Montay “Tay” Crockett-South Pointe WR 2008-2011 (’12) – 2008, 2011 SC Champ, Georgia Southern WR 2012-2016, NFL GB 2017- 2019.
Dupree Hart-Northwestern WR 2011-2014 (’15) – 2014 Shrine Bowl, 2013 State Champ, 2012 State Runner Up, Mr. Football finalist, Big 2 Player of Year – 2014, holds state HS record for career receptions, USC/College of Charleston BB 2015-19.
Spencer Lanning-York K 2002-2005 (’06) – 2005 North South Game, USC K 2006-2010, NFL Cleveland 2011-15, York County Sports Hall of Fame/2019.
Nick McCloud – South Pointe DB 2012-2015 (’16) – 2016 North/South Game, 2015, 2014 State Champion, 3 year starter at NC State (2016-18) Currently starting CB for Notre Dame.
Jonathan “Fat Cat” Meeks–Rock Hill DB 2004-2007 (’08) – 2010 North/South Game, Hargrave Academy & Clemson DB 2009-2012, NFL Buffalo Bills 2013-2016.
Corey “C J” Neely-South Pointe 2008-2011 (’12) – 2011 State Champ with 3TDs in game, Georgia Military 2013-2014, Marshall Univ. 2015-2016, All American.
BT Potter-South Pointe K 2014-2017 (’18) – 2017 North South Game, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 State Champ, Rivals #2 National Kicker 2017, Army All-American, Clemson K 2018 – present, 2018 National Champ, 2019 National Champ R/U.
Mason Rudolph-Northwestern QB 2010-2013 (’14) – 2013 Shrine Bowl MVP, 2013 State Champion, 2013 Mr. Football Finalist, 2013 All American, 2012 State Runner Up, Oklahoma State QB 2014-2017, Johnny Unitas Award, Sammy Baugh Trophy, NFL QB PIT 2018 – present.
Greg Ruff-South Pointe QB 2012-2015 (’16) – 2014 North/South Game, 2014 & 2015 State Champ, 2104 & 2015 All-State, holds state HS record for consecutive passes without an interception, Newberry College QB/WR 2016-2020.
Asa Watson-Rock Hill TE 2006-2008 (’09) – 2008 Shrine Bowl Captain, 2008 All State, Nationally ranked #2 TE NC State TE 2009-2013, All ACC, NFL NE/DAL England.
