50 All-American FL RB's-How Did Things Work Out after High School?

[OldSchoolLion]

Below are 53 former star running backs who played high school football in Florida between the 1960’s and present.  Unless noted, they were all high school All-Americans. 

-27/53 didn't make it in the NFL.  

-16/53(that I know of) got in trouble..those with asterisk by their name

-Of the 45 “retired” running backs below, 40 of them were looking for something to do other than play football at age 30 or earlier (average career of retired NFL players below=6.5 seasons)  

-Imagine how many kids played running back during this time frame.  Let’s say 50,000.  That means that about 0.1% of those kids became All-Americans.  And about 0.05% became NFL running backs.

 

RB’s Who Were Both NCAA All-Americans & NFL Players-10

*Dalvin Cook-Miami Central and FSU and 1 season NFL(active)

Brent Fulwood-St Cloud and Auburn and 4 seasons NFL

Cleveland Gary-South Fork and UM and 6 seasons NFL

Derrick Henry-Yulee and Alabama and 2 seasons NFL(active)

Willis McGahee-Miami Central and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Trent Richardson-Escambia and Alabama and 4 seasons NFL

Emmitt Smith-Escambia and UF and 15 seasons NFL

Larry Smith-Tampa Robinson and UF and 6 seasons NFL

*Sammie Smith-Apopka and FSU and 4 seasons NFL

CJ Spiller-Union County and Clemson and 8 seasons NFL(active)

 

Successful College Careers & Made It in the NFL-16

Nelson Agholor-Berkeley Prep and USC and 3 seasons NFL(active)

Ciatrick Fason-Fletcher and UF and 2 seasons NFL

*Jason Geathers-Spanish River and UM and 2 seasons NFL

Frank Gore-Coral Gables and UM and 13 seasons NFL

Earnest Graham-Mariner and UF and 8 seasons NFL

*Travis Henry-Frostproof and Tennessee and 7 seasons NFL

Edgerrin James-Immokaleee and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Chris Johnson-Olympia and East Carolina and 10 seasons NFL(active)-not a hs all-american

Duke Johnson-Norland and UM and 3 seasons(active)

Sedrick Irvin-Miami and Michigan St and 2 seasons NFL

Fred McCrary-Naples and Mississippi St and 10 seasons NFL

Dexter Mcnabb-Walton and UF and 3 seasons NFL

Sony Michel-AH Plantation and Georgia and upcoming first season in NFL(active)

Lamar Miller-Killian and UM and 6 seasons NFL(active)

*Chris Rainey-Lakeland and UF and 2 seasons NFL

Antone Smith-Pahokee and FSU and 6 seasons NFL

 

Successful College Career but Did Not Make It in the NFL-17

Clyde Allen-Fort Myers and FSU

Melvin Bratton-Northwestern and UM

Demontray Carter-Pensacola and Auburn/Troy

*Enrique Davis-Mosley and Ole Miss

Autrey Denson-Nova and Notre Dame

Noel Devine-North Fort Myers and West Virginia U

*Roy Finch-Niceville and Oklahoma

*Demetrius Hart-Dr Phillips and Alabama/Colorado St

Tyrone Moss-Ely and UM

Elvis Peacock-Miami Central and Oklahoma

Marc Renaud-Deerfield Beach and Michigan State

Marquette Smith-Lake Howell and FSU/UCF

Tony Smith-Southridge and FSU

Kelvin Taylor-Glades Day and Florida

Roy Upchurch-Godby and Alabama

Maurice Wells-Sandalwood and Ohio St

Gerald White-Titusville and Michigan

 

Limited or No Success in College-10

Mike Bellamy-Charlotte and Clemson

*Greg Bryant-AH Delray and Notre Dame-was murdered

*Antwaine Easterling-Miami Northwestern and Southern Mississippi-not a hs all-american

*Willie Green-Osceola and UF

Terry Griggley-Clearwater and FSU

*Fred Miles-Miami Springs

*Mario Pender-Island Coast and FSU

Dishon Platt-Charlotte

*DeShawn Smith-Nature Coast

Jerald Williams-Jacksonville Wilson and UF

 

Summary

It’s a coin flip whether a high school all-american is going to make the pros.  What are the odds for the 2-star athlete?  I don’t know, but they must be pretty small  All of the transferring going on today…do kids think it is going to improve their odds of getting to the pros?  Good luck. 

If the goal is simply to get them to college…an individual may be better off focusing on an academic scholarship.  The kid who plays in college but does not make the pros may get a degree out of the deal, but also a lifetime of debilitating physical conditions.  It is a huge cost to pay.  …just food for thought. 

Please let me know if anything above is not correct and/or if you have any updates on post-football successes of the players above.

[Hwy17]

I read an article last year that the number of lower division college players in the NFL is on the rise.   

[MuckCityChamp]

13 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Below are 53 former star running backs who played high school football in Florida between the 1960’s and present.  Unless noted, they were all high school All-Americans. 

-27/53 didn't make it in the NFL.  

-16/53(that I know of) got in trouble..those with asterisk by their name

-Of the 45 “retired” running backs below, 40 of them were looking for something to do other than play football at age 30 or earlier (average career of retired NFL players below=6.5 seasons)  

-Imagine how many kids played running back during this time frame.  Let’s say 50,000.  That means that about 0.1% of those kids became All-Americans.  And about 0.05% became NFL running backs.

 

RB’s Who Were Both NCAA All-Americans & NFL Players-10

*Dalvin Cook-Miami Central and FSU and 1 season NFL(active)

Brent Fulwood-St Cloud and Auburn and 4 seasons NFL

Cleveland Gary-South Fork and UM and 6 seasons NFL

Derrick Henry-Yulee and Alabama and 2 seasons NFL(active)

Willis McGahee-Miami Central and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Trent Richardson-Escambia and Alabama and 4 seasons NFL

Emmitt Smith-Escambia and UF and 15 seasons NFL

Larry Smith-Tampa Robinson and UF and 6 seasons NFL

*Sammie Smith-Apopka and FSU and 4 seasons NFL

CJ Spiller-Union County and Clemson and 8 seasons NFL(active)

 

Successful College Careers & Made It in the NFL-16

Nelson Agholor-Berkeley Prep and USC and 3 seasons NFL(active)

Ciatrick Fason-Fletcher and UF and 2 seasons NFL

*Jason Geathers-Spanish River and UM and 2 seasons NFL

Frank Gore-Coral Gables and UM and 13 seasons NFL

Earnest Graham-Mariner and UF and 8 seasons NFL

*Travis Henry-Frostproof and Tennessee and 7 seasons NFL

Edgerrin James-Immokaleee and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Chris Johnson-Olympia and East Carolina and 10 seasons NFL(active)-not a hs all-american

Duke Johnson-Norland and UM and 3 seasons(active)

Sedrick Irvin-Miami and Michigan St and 2 seasons NFL

Fred McCrary-Naples and Mississippi St and 10 seasons NFL

Dexter Mcnabb-Walton and UF and 3 seasons NFL

Sony Michel-AH Plantation and Georgia and upcoming first season in NFL(active)

Lamar Miller-Killian and UM and 6 seasons NFL(active)

*Chris Rainey-Lakeland and UF and 2 seasons NFL

Antone Smith-Pahokee and FSU and 6 seasons NFL

 

Successful College Career but Did Not Make It in the NFL-17

Clyde Allen-Fort Myers and FSU

Melvin Bratton-Northwestern and UM

Demontray Carter-Pensacola and Auburn/Troy

*Enrique Davis-Mosley and Ole Miss

Autrey Denson-Nova and Notre Dame

Noel Devine-North Fort Myers and West Virginia U

*Roy Finch-Niceville and Oklahoma

*Demetrius Hart-Dr Phillips and Alabama/Colorado St

Tyrone Moss-Ely and UM

Elvis Peacock-Miami Central and Oklahoma

Marc Renaud-Deerfield Beach and Michigan State

Marquette Smith-Lake Howell and FSU/UCF

Tony Smith-Southridge and FSU

Kelvin Taylor-Glades Day and Florida

Roy Upchurch-Godby and Alabama

Maurice Wells-Sandalwood and Ohio St

Gerald White-Titusville and Michigan

 

Limited or No Success in College-10

Mike Bellamy-Charlotte and Clemson

*Greg Bryant-AH Delray and Notre Dame-was murdered

*Antwaine Easterling-Miami Northwestern and Southern Mississippi-not a hs all-american

*Willie Green-Osceola and UF

Terry Griggley-Clearwater and FSU

*Fred Miles-Miami Springs

*Mario Pender-Island Coast and FSU

Dishon Platt-Charlotte

*DeShawn Smith-Nature Coast

Jerald Williams-Jacksonville Wilson and UF

 

Summary

It’s a coin flip whether a high school all-american is going to make the pros.  What are the odds for the 2-star athlete?  I don’t know, but they must be pretty small  All of the transferring going on today…do kids think it is going to improve their odds of getting to the pros?  Good luck. 

If the goal is simply to get them to college…an individual may be better off focusing on an academic scholarship.  The kid who plays in college but does not make the pros may get a degree out of the deal, but also a lifetime of debilitating physical conditions.  It is a huge cost to pay.  …just food for thought. 

Please let me know if anything above is not correct and/or if you have any updates on post-football successes of the players above.

Frank Gore is still active (Dolphins)

Kelvin Taylor is active (Browns)

No Fred Taylor?

 

[OldSchoolLion]

8 hours ago, MuckCityChamp said:

Frank Gore is still active (Dolphins)

Kelvin Taylor is active (Browns)

No Fred Taylor?

 

Thanks for info about Frank.  Kelvin was waived by the Browns last month.  As you likely know, he has signed and been waived a few times.  Until he actually logs some playing time, I will consider him to be in that "didn't make it category."  There a few guys whose careers are similar to his, ie signed in NFL but nothing much came of it. 

Concerning Fred Taylor's absence above, the list is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list of all of the "great" rb's in Florida history.  ...so, the snub was not intentional.  Think of it as a sample set of data.

[dawgs]

marquette smith made the nfl, was on carolinas roster for 2 seasons.  he was hurt and didnt play regular season games, if thats what you were going for.

great list

[Proseteye]

On 5/23/2018 at 10:25 AM, OldSchoolLion said:

Below are 53 former star running backs who played high school football in Florida between the 1960’s and present.  Unless noted, they were all high school All-Americans. 

-27/53 didn't make it in the NFL.  

-16/53(that I know of) got in trouble..those with asterisk by their name

-Of the 45 “retired” running backs below, 40 of them were looking for something to do other than play football at age 30 or earlier (average career of retired NFL players below=6.5 seasons)  

-Imagine how many kids played running back during this time frame.  Let’s say 50,000.  That means that about 0.1% of those kids became All-Americans.  And about 0.05% became NFL running backs.

 

RB’s Who Were Both NCAA All-Americans & NFL Players-10

*Dalvin Cook-Miami Central and FSU and 1 season NFL(active)

Brent Fulwood-St Cloud and Auburn and 4 seasons NFL

Cleveland Gary-South Fork and UM and 6 seasons NFL

Derrick Henry-Yulee and Alabama and 2 seasons NFL(active)

Willis McGahee-Miami Central and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Trent Richardson-Escambia and Alabama and 4 seasons NFL

Emmitt Smith-Escambia and UF and 15 seasons NFL

Larry Smith-Tampa Robinson and UF and 6 seasons NFL

*Sammie Smith-Apopka and FSU and 4 seasons NFL

CJ Spiller-Union County and Clemson and 8 seasons NFL(active)

 

Successful College Careers & Made It in the NFL-16

Nelson Agholor-Berkeley Prep and USC and 3 seasons NFL(active)

Ciatrick Fason-Fletcher and UF and 2 seasons NFL

*Jason Geathers-Spanish River and UM and 2 seasons NFL

Frank Gore-Coral Gables and UM and 13 seasons NFL

Earnest Graham-Mariner and UF and 8 seasons NFL

*Travis Henry-Frostproof and Tennessee and 7 seasons NFL

Edgerrin James-Immokaleee and UM and 11 seasons NFL

*Chris Johnson-Olympia and East Carolina and 10 seasons NFL(active)-not a hs all-american

Duke Johnson-Norland and UM and 3 seasons(active)

Sedrick Irvin-Miami and Michigan St and 2 seasons NFL

Fred McCrary-Naples and Mississippi St and 10 seasons NFL

Dexter Mcnabb-Walton and UF and 3 seasons NFL

Sony Michel-AH Plantation and Georgia and upcoming first season in NFL(active)

Lamar Miller-Killian and UM and 6 seasons NFL(active)

*Chris Rainey-Lakeland and UF and 2 seasons NFL

Antone Smith-Pahokee and FSU and 6 seasons NFL

 

Successful College Career but Did Not Make It in the NFL-17

Clyde Allen-Fort Myers and FSU

Melvin Bratton-Northwestern and UM

Demontray Carter-Pensacola and Auburn/Troy

*Enrique Davis-Mosley and Ole Miss

Autrey Denson-Nova and Notre Dame

Noel Devine-North Fort Myers and West Virginia U

*Roy Finch-Niceville and Oklahoma

*Demetrius Hart-Dr Phillips and Alabama/Colorado St

Tyrone Moss-Ely and UM

Elvis Peacock-Miami Central and Oklahoma

Marc Renaud-Deerfield Beach and Michigan State

Marquette Smith-Lake Howell and FSU/UCF

Tony Smith-Southridge and FSU

Kelvin Taylor-Glades Day and Florida

Roy Upchurch-Godby and Alabama

Maurice Wells-Sandalwood and Ohio St

Gerald White-Titusville and Michigan

 

Limited or No Success in College-10

Mike Bellamy-Charlotte and Clemson

*Greg Bryant-AH Delray and Notre Dame-was murdered

*Antwaine Easterling-Miami Northwestern and Southern Mississippi-not a hs all-american

*Willie Green-Osceola and UF

Terry Griggley-Clearwater and FSU

*Fred Miles-Miami Springs

*Mario Pender-Island Coast and FSU

Dishon Platt-Charlotte

*DeShawn Smith-Nature Coast

Jerald Williams-Jacksonville Wilson and UF

 

Summary

It’s a coin flip whether a high school all-american is going to make the pros.  What are the odds for the 2-star athlete?  I don’t know, but they must be pretty small  All of the transferring going on today…do kids think it is going to improve their odds of getting to the pros?  Good luck. 

If the goal is simply to get them to college…an individual may be better off focusing on an academic scholarship.  The kid who plays in college but does not make the pros may get a degree out of the deal, but also a lifetime of debilitating physical conditions.  It is a huge cost to pay.  …just food for thought. 

Please let me know if anything above is not correct and/or if you have any updates on post-football successes of the players above.

Also, how many of those degrees, obtained by college football players, are not worth the paper they are written on? I'm quite sure that potential employers know that most college football players attend very few classes, in nebulous subjects, and don't do much better than a C average if even that. Just having a degree these days is basically meaningless unless the degree is in a subject that is in need by employers.

[OldSchoolLion]

13 minutes ago, dawgs said:

marquette smith made the nfl, was on carolinas roster for 2 seasons.  he was hurt and didnt play regular season games, if thats what you were going for.

great list

The purpose of this exercise was to see how many of these guys had a "successful" career in the NFL.  That word "successful" is subjective, I know. 

Some guys may have signed in the NFL, but never made a lot of money, ie enough to sustain themselves after "retiring."  For instance, some guys may have only played on practice squads.  So, they likely needed to find a way to make money after football. 

A large proportion of NFL players never get their college degree.  So, unless these individuals make a critical mass of money while in the NFL to sustain themselves for the remainder of their lives, they could be stocking shelves at Walmart or finding ways to make "easy" money after they retire from football.

Look at the sad tale of Jason Geathers...former star at Spanish River and UM. 

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/new-miami-football-player-jason-geathers-tased-twice-during-arrest/lhCEiAepl5XUsLgnWk8nAJ/

  

[OldSchoolLion]

Sammie Smith of Apopka and FSU is an example of someone who "made it,"...or so many thought.  Injuries hampered his NFL career, and then the wheels fell off in his life.  But he has made something good come out of all the adversity.  

https://m.oxfordeagle.com/2017/04/05/oxford-on-the-move-sammie-smith-is-finding-a-purpose-after-prison/