Gryphon Players Of The Decade

Once again the radio crew has come up with their top fifteen players of the decade in Gryphon football. Wes Bradshaw, Charles Alston and myself have come of with fifteen really good ones. Any time you win 93 games in ten years it takes more than fifteen player to make that happen. Remember, as they say this is for entertainment purposes only. Don't get all our of whack if we left someone off or they are not in the right order. I can tell you the three of us disagreed on the order on several players, but then it again this is my blog so I had final say.

15

The linemen: Linemen are hard to rate. Once the ball is snapped you don't notice them until after the play is over. Unless there is holding, a sack or a big pileup you never know they are out there. I can assure you coaches on the other teams know they are there when they look at film. We have pick five linemen and we are calling them #15. Regardless here are the five linemen of the decade.

Torey Lee : "Pork Chop" Maybe the best down field blocker in Gryphon history
Whit Barnes: Committed to Wake forest even before his senior season. That will tell you right there he was on everybody's radar.
Kendall Noble: Has the body size to make it in the NFL. Has been a multi year starter while playing at Norfolk State at tackle.
Nazir Levine: Gryphon backs have made many a yard running behind Nazir.
Chauncey Perry: Wide body who could make way for Gryphon runners.

10.

Brian Goodwin: Was such an all round athlete. Was more valuable to team on defense. I still think he could make NFL as cornerback but chose Carolina Baseball.

9.

Rob Nelson: Despite quarterbacking on a losing team in 2001 people forget that he was named Big East player of the year.

8.

Mike Mason: Blazing speed was double teamed most of his career. Hold most pass receiving records for Rocky Mount.

7.

Collins Cuthrell: Won 21 game as a two year starter. The only quarter back this decade to average ten wins a season. Took every snap his senior season and considering he was hit on almost every pass play that will attest to his conditioning and strength. Third all time in most passing categories.

6.

Demetric Marshall: 2,100 yards rushing and thirty touchdowns in one season. That one season is probably the best individual season of the decade.

5.

Robert Hart: If a player ever had the right last name it was Robert. Robert Hart was the leading tackler in Gryphon history at the time of his graduation. If you saw him in the hall way you wood never know he played football. He is a prime example of why sports can be great. Robert was able to be a great football player despite his body telling him he wasn't capable physically of doing what he was able to accomplish.

4.

Nick Hahula: Holds every kicking record related to points in Gryphon history. Whether it was his kickoff in the end zone or punts with no return Hahooola was a vital part of the Gryphon defense with field position. Started at fullback his last two seasons for good measure.

3.

Marquavis Alston: All time leading rusher and touchdown maker in Gryphon history. Only running back to get a thousand yards rushing in a season twice and he did it three times. Had good speed but was not a speed merchant. Not all that big but could always get five more yards after contact.

2.

Terrell Hudgins: Holds almost every passing record and total yardage records in Gryphon history. Could also have played defense but was too valuable at quarterback to risk a defensive injury. While at Elon has become the greatest pass receiver in college history. Has a chance in pro football at wide receiver.

1.

Stephan Virgil: How good was Stephan? He started his fist game his freshman year and every game there after. Played only defense early in career but his athletic ability gave him more offensive time as career developed. Scored as runner, pass receiver, kick returner and defensive back. Hold Gryphon career record for yards per catch average in career. Regardless of what position he played he produced. Has started his last two years at Virginia Tech at cornerback.

When you consider maybe two hundred player have played Gryphon football this decade it is impossible to find only the best fifteen. There is no disrespect to any one intended who is not on the list. Tell us who you think should be on the list any why?