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South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announces 2025 nominees

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Sheldon Brown named to 107.5 the Game's top 30 Gamecocks during the SEC era. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)

This weekend, the University of South Carolina Lettermen’s Hall of Fame will officially induct and recognize a six-person 2025 class. Headlined by Gamecock legend A’ja Wilson, the group will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Thursday and will be recognized during Saturday’s football game against Alabama.

In the lead-up to that induction, another Hall of Fame announced its class of 2025 nominees.

On Thursday, the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announced 65 nominees, including 11 from USC.

The Gamecock nominees include (with South Carolina hometown in parentheses if applicable): Robert Brooks (Greenwood), Sheldon Brown (Lancaster), Larry Craig (Six Mile), Todd Ellis, Lou Holtz (coach), Johnathan Joseph (Rock Hill), Marcus Lattimore (Duncan), Corey Miller (Pageland), Sidney Rice (Gaffney), Connor Shaw, and Travelle Wharton (Fountain Inn).

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Robert Brooks (1988-1991) transitioned from being a high school running back to playing wide receiver at South Carolina. The move paid off as he was an All-South Independent performer at USC. He had a stellar NFL career, too, earning a spot in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Brooks is already in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

Playing for another Hall of Fame nominee in Lou Holtz, Sheldon Brown (1998-2001) is one of the best cornerbacks in Gamecock history. He also played baseball for head coach Ray Tanner. Brown was a two-time All-American for South Carolina before spending 11 years in the NFL. He is also in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Daniel High School, Larry Craig (1935-1938) spurned the local Clemson Tigers to play for South Carolina. He played virtually every position for the Gamecocks and did the same in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers. Like Robert Brooks, Craig is in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame. He also ran track during his time in Columbia.

Todd Ellis (1985-1989) isn’t from the Palmetto State, but Columbia became his home. An All-American quarterback for the Gamecocks, Ellis is the program’s all-time leader in passing yards. Since his playing career ended, he has been involved with gameday radio broadcasts, including being the “Voice of the Gamecocks” for over two decades. He is in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

A legendary coach before he arrived at USC, Lou Holtz (1999-2004) left his mark on the Gamecock program. He helped revive the program as the architect behind (at the time) the greatest single-season turnaround in college football history, winning eight games in 2000 after going winless in 1999. Holtz is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

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Johnathan Joseph (2004-2005) was recruited to South Carolina by Lou Holtz and played for both Holtz and Steve Spurrier. Joseph is one of the fastest Gamecocks ever and is regarded as one of the best cover corners to ever wear garnet and black. He made the All-SEC team in his only fully healthy season in 2005. Joseph was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2006 and played 15 years in the League, earning two Pro Bowl nods.

The only man who comes close to George Rogers’ name in the all-time running back discussion is Marcus Lattimore (2010-2012). Lattimore signed with the Gamecocks as a five-star recruit and lived up to the hype. The All-American owns multiple Carolina records, and had his career not been hampered by injuries, he may have added another Heisman Trophy to sit next to Rogers’. Lattimore is in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame. He also briefly worked at his alma mater after his playing days.

Corey Miller (1987-1990) played both linebacker and defensive end for the Gamecocks under head coaches Joe Morrison and Sparky Woods. He was a team captain and All-South Independent performer before spending nine years in the NFL. Miller is also well-known around Columbia for his work as a sports reporter and anchor. He is in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

A high school standout in both football and basketball, Sidney Rice (2004-2006) came to South Carolina over a basketball offer from Syracuse. He made the most of his time in Columbia, becoming one of the most prolific wide receivers ever to play inside Williams-Brice Stadium. The All-American owns at least a share of several Carolina records and made a Pro Bowl during his seven-year NFL career. Rice is in the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

Connor Shaw (2010-2013) is the greatest quarterback in South Carolina football history. His name is all over the record books, but his most impressive accomplishment came in the form of a 27-5 overall record as a starter, including a perfect 17-0 mark at home and an undefeated record against Clemson. He led the Gamecocks to three consecutive 11-2 seasons and was part of the 2010 SEC East Championship squad. Shaw spent some time working on Will Muschamp’s and Shane Beamer’s staffs in Columbia. He is a member of the USC Lettermen’s Hall of Fame.

Arguably the best offensive lineman to come through the program, Travelle Wharton (1999-2002) made the Freshman All-American team before three straight All-SEC nods. He went 47 games without allowing a sack despite being one of the smallest offensive tackles of the modern era. Wharton played a decade in the NFL and has had a long, successful coaching career. He briefly coached at his alma mater before returning to the NFL coaching ranks.

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