All-Time Clemson Team: Special Teams and Honorable Mention

Joseph Durst by Contributor Written on October 13, 2009
ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 10:  C.J. Spiller #28 of the Clemson Tigers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 10, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In the third and final installment of my choices for Clemson's all-time football team, I present my case for the special teams unit and honorable mentions. I've picked 10 worthy candidates for honorable mention to join the all time special teams unit.  

In case you missed them, you can find my offensive and defensive selections here:

All-Time Clemson Team: Defense

All-Time Clemson Team: Offense

Now for the special teams selections.

 

Punter: Chris Gardocki 

In complete objectivity, Chris Gardocki should get the nod for both punter and place kicker. He was selected as an All-American for both and became the second player in NCAA history to rank in the top five for both punting and place kicking in the same season.

Amazingly, Gardocki never missed a PAT at Clemson, connecting on 72 straight.

 

Place Kicker: Obed Ariri

Ten years before Chris Gardocki, Obed Ariri reigned as Clemson's dominant kicker. When he graduated from Clemson, he held the all time NCAA record for career field goals at 63. As a two sport athlete, Ariri's soccer legs translated to tremendous field goals time and time again.

 

Punt Returner: Derrick Hamilton

Derrick Hamilton was an all-purpose beast for Clemson in his day. His kick and punt returning was excellent, but he didn't stop there. He held the Clemson career all-purpose yards record when he graduated.

He also excelled as a receiver and running back.

 

Kick Returner: Justin Miller

Over the course of his career, Justin Miller averaged 30.7 yards per kickoff return and amassed over 1,500 kick return yards. He was also an exceptional cornerback, but it was his kick returning that won him All-American honors in 2004.

 

Honorable Mention

1. Rod Gardner (WR) 

Rod will always be remembered at Clemson for his game winning push-off heroics against South Carolina, but he should be defined by much more than that.

He had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons at Clemson and remains second in career receptions in Clemson history.

 

2. Donald Igwebuike (PK)

You may get dizzy trying to say his name three times fast, but Igwebuike had a golden leg. Like Ariri, he split time as a soccer player and had a penchant for nailing those field goals of 50-plus yards that seem so tricky for most.

 

3. Jim Stuckey (DT) 

Stuckey never really had a chance to make the starting defense with the Perry brothers in front of him, but Stuckey was no pushover. He recorded an impressive 314 tackles and 18 sacks in his career.

 

Single Page
Vote Now! - Author Poll

Which honorable mention was most deserving of a starting spot?

  • Rod Gardner
  • Leroy Hill
  • Aaron Kelly
  • C.J. Spiller
  • Woody Dantzler
  • Other
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Which honorable mention was most deserving of a starting spot?

  • Rod Gardner

    0.0%
  • Leroy Hill

    7.1%
  • Aaron Kelly

    0.0%
  • C.J. Spiller

    78.6%
  • Woody Dantzler

    14.3%
  • Other

    0.0%
  • Total votes: 14
(0)
...
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written on October 13, 2009 Rankings/List

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