A.J. Cann ranked No. 17 in 107.5 The Game's Top 30 Gamecocks
In honor of the 30th South Carolina football season in the SEC, 107.5 The Game will be ranking the top 30 players in program history. Former offensive lineman A.J. Cann was next to join the list, coming in at No. 17. He ranks one spot ahead of his former teammate, Ace Sanders.
Cann was a four-year starter, starting in 51 games, second-most in school history behind T.J. Johnson who started 53 games.
Before his days in Columbia, Cann was a dual-sport athlete at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, where he played football and competed in track. However, football would be Cann’s calling, as he was considered a four-star prospect by 247 Sports. As an offensive tackle, he had 60 knockdown blocks and didn’t allow a sack during his senior year.
Cann committed to South Carolina in June 2009.
After enrolling on campus, Cann wouldn’t see the field during the 2010 season, as he chose to redshirt. However, he made huge strides the following year, going from a second-team left guard to earning the starting spot by the end of fall camp.
Cann made his first career start in the season opener against East Carolina, a game South Carolina went on to win 56-37. During that season, he’d be blocking for first-year starter Connor Shaw, who went on to be the winningest quarterback in school history.
After the season, Cann received multiple accolades, including First-Team Freshman All-SEC and CBS Freshman All-American honors.
In 2012, Cann, now a second-year starter, helped the Gamecocks win 11 games for the second straight season.
Heading into 2013, Cann found himself on multiple preseason award watchlists. Most notably, he was named to the Outland Trophy watchlist. This is an award given to the nation’s best interior offensive lineman. He also became a permanent team captain for the first time.
On Sept. 30, Cann earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in a 28-25 win over UCF. For the third consecutive year, Cann helped South Carolina win 11 games. By this point, he started in 38 of 39 games played.
As a redshirt senior in 2014, Cann would no longer be blocking for Shaw, rather Dylan Thompson. He’d start in all 13 games and receive First-Team All-American honors. Unlike years past, the Gamecocks struggled against their competition, finishing 7-6.
With his college career now over, Cann prepared for the 2015 NFL Draft, where he hoped a team would take a chance on him. With the 67th pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Cann.
During his rookie year, Cann started 13 games at right guard while playing in 14 total games. A year later, he became a full-time starter on the Jags offensive line, making 16 starts.
For the next two seasons, Cann kept his starting job, but missed one game in each year with triceps injuries.
On March 13, 2019, Cann signed a three-year extension with Jacksonville worth $15 million. In October 2021, he found his way onto the injured reserve, bringing his season to end after making four starts.
Currently, Cann is with the Houston Texans after signing a two-year, $8.5 million contract on March 23, 2022.
