“SLEPT-ON STARS OF GAMECOCK FOOTBALL: Why Dylan Thompson and Ace Sanders Deserve Far More Recognition as All-Time Greats in South Carolina History”
In the rich history of South Carolina football, a handful of names tend to dominate the conversation. From Jadeveon Clowney’s bone-rattling tackle in the Outback Bowl to the dazzling runs of Marcus Lattimore and the defensive legacy of players like Stephon Gilmore and Melvin Ingram, the Gamecock faithful have no shortage of iconic memories. However, amid those unforgettable highlights and household names lies a duo whose contributions were pivotal yet chronically overlooked. Dylan Thompson and Ace Sanders are two of the most underrated figures in Gamecock football lore, and it’s long past time they were given their due as all-time greats.
Dylan Thompson’s path to prominence was anything but conventional. Buried on the depth chart for years and constantly doubted as a starting quarterback, Thompson embodied perseverance. He wasn’t a five-star recruit with instant hype or a dual-threat phenom with blazing speed. But what he lacked in flash, he more than made up for in heart, football IQ, leadership, and production. His name might not get shouted from the rooftops like some of his contemporaries, but those who truly followed South Carolina football during his tenure know the invaluable role he played in one of the program’s most competitive stretches in history.
Thompson’s signature moment as a Gamecock came in the 2012 season when starting quarterback Connor Shaw went down with injury before a key game against Clemson. It was Thompson, not the veteran Shaw, who took the reins that night in Death Valley and delivered a commanding performance that silenced the Tigers and helped preserve South Carolina’s dominance in the rivalry. Completing 23 of 41 passes for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns in a hostile environment, Thompson proved he wasn’t just a backup — he was a gamer. It wasn’t the first time he showed he could step up when called upon, and it wouldn’t be the last.
Fast forward to the 2014 season, and Thompson was finally handed the keys to the offense full-time. Many doubted he could handle the spotlight, claiming he lacked the athleticism or intangible “it” factor of previous quarterbacks. But the numbers tell a different story. Thompson threw for 3,564 yards and 26 touchdowns that season, setting the single-season passing yardage record at South Carolina — a record that still stands. He led a Gamecock offense that frequently found itself in shootouts and delivered week after week with efficiency and composure. For a player who had waited patiently and worked tirelessly behind the scenes, Thompson’s season as a starter should have cemented his place in Gamecock history. And yet, his name is too often glossed over in conversations about great South Carolina quarterbacks.
Perhaps what made Thompson so underrated was his unassuming demeanor. He wasn’t flashy on social media, he didn’t call attention to himself with over-the-top celebrations, and he didn’t command headlines with controversy. He was simply reliable. Steady. The kind of player every locker room needs but few fans properly celebrate. He made those around him better, studied the game relentlessly, and played with a chip on his shoulder that never quite went away. Thompson wasn’t just a bridge between eras — he was a foundational piece during a time when South Carolina consistently competed on the national stage.
On the other end of the spectrum — literally, as a receiver — was Ace Sanders, a playmaker who brought energy, excitement, and electrifying ability to every snap. While some players rely on size or raw speed, Sanders excelled with quickness, shiftiness, and a sixth sense for making defenders miss. At just 5-foot-7, he was often doubted due to his stature, but that never stopped him from being one of the most dangerous players in the SEC with the ball in his hands. A magician in the return game and a precise route-runner in the slot, Sanders turned short passes into long touchdowns and punts into game-changing moments.
His junior season in 2012 was the stuff of highlight reels. He caught 45 passes for 531 yards and 9 touchdowns, but his impact went far beyond the stat sheet. Sanders had a knack for showing up in the biggest moments, none more memorable than his MVP performance in the 2013 Outback Bowl against Michigan. In that game, he recorded a jaw-dropping 63-yard punt return touchdown, added two receiving touchdowns, and left the Wolverines defense bewildered every time he touched the ball. It was one of the most complete performances by any Gamecock in a bowl game, and yet his name still struggles to crack the top 10 on most all-time lists.
What separates Sanders from other greats isn’t just his production — it’s how he produced. Every time the ball came his way, there was a collective sense of anticipation in the stands. Fans leaned forward, opposing coaches held their breath, and teammates trusted he’d deliver. He had an uncanny ability to change direction without losing speed, slip through the smallest cracks in a defense, and squeeze every yard out of every play. His presence stretched the field horizontally and vertically, opening up opportunities for other players. It’s easy to look at stats and overlook someone like Sanders, but the game film tells a story that numbers never could.
Another reason Sanders remains criminally underrated is his decision to leave for the NFL after his junior season. While understandable — he was drafted in the 4th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars — the early exit meant he never got a chance to climb the all-time school records in receiving categories. As a result, his name is often passed over in favor of those with longer tenures or more cumulative stats. But anyone who watched the Gamecocks during those years knows how instrumental Sanders was to the offensive rhythm and success of the team.
Both Thompson and Sanders operated in an era when South Carolina football was enjoying unprecedented success. Under Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks climbed into the national spotlight, producing double-digit win seasons and beating powerhouses like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Clemson. It’s no coincidence that during this golden age, players like Thompson and Sanders were making game-changing plays and carrying themselves with the kind of quiet confidence that champions are made of.
What’s frustrating for longtime fans is how history seems to overlook these contributions. There are few mentions of Thompson’s record-setting season when discussions about top Gamecock quarterbacks arise. Sanders’ bowl game heroics are often a footnote rather than a featured memory. Yet their stories are worth celebrating — not just for what they did, but for how they did it. They weren’t handed success. They earned it through grit, patience, intelligence, and relentless effort.
In a time when football coverage increasingly skews toward hype and headlines, players like Thompson and Sanders remind us that the most valuable performers aren’t always the loudest or the flashiest. They’re the ones who grind every day, lead with humility, and let their play speak volumes. They’re the glue guys, the spark plugs, the quiet assassins. And in the case of South Carolina football, they’re the backbone of some of the best years the program has ever known.
It’s also worth noting the leadership both men brought to the locker room. Thompson, a deeply grounded and mature presence, was known for his commitment to his faith and his role as a mentor to younger players. He returned to South Carolina as Director of Player Development, further cementing his place as a role model and leader off the field. Sanders, with his vibrant energy and contagious confidence, inspired teammates to believe they could break a game wide open on any given play. Together, they exemplified two very different but equally powerful styles of leadership — one quiet and cerebral, the other kinetic and fearless.
In the years since their departures, South Carolina has struggled to replicate the consistency and explosiveness that marked the Thompson-Sanders era. While talent has never been in short supply, the blend of unselfishness, toughness, and football IQ that defined both players has proven hard to replace. That alone should speak volumes about their value to the program.
As new generations of Gamecock fans fill Williams-Brice Stadium and debate the all-time greats, it’s time for the names Dylan Thompson and Ace Sanders to be elevated into that conversation. They may not have the national brand recognition or the eye-popping recruiting stars next to their names, but their legacies are no less deserving. They left the jersey in a better place, inspired teammates and fans alike, and helped steer South Carolina football into its most successful stretch of the modern era.
In the end, greatness isn’t always about gaudy statistics or viral moments. Sometimes, it’s about delivering when it matters, leading when no one’s watching, and carving out a legacy built on resilience and heart. Dylan Thompson and Ace Sanders did exactly that — and in doing so, earned the right to be remembered not just as contributors, but as Gamecock legends.
