Wednesday June 18, 2008

Ryan Update - Clemson QB Ratings

Ryan Update 8-18
Ryan continues to make little steps each day. We now have Dr. Gardner as his attending physician. He was Ryan's neurosurgeon but now has taken over as his attending doctor. His new pulmonary doctors came by to look at his trach and they will be by again to discuss some future strategies on weaning him from the trach.

Ryan had physical therapy and occupational therapy already today and he was a little more responsive. He appears to be a little more alert today.

In the last 48 hours he has started to lift his head more often. Perhaps the best thing I saw today from Ryan was his reflexes. A few days ago his doctor wanted to see if Ryan would flinch if he came close to hitting him near his eyes. Unfortunately, Ryan did not flinch which was the worse of the two responses. However, today when his mom reaches down to kiss him on his nose, he slowly blinks and sometimes closes his eyes. I take this as a nice step because he is reacting. His speech therapist clapped her hands several times and Ryan blinked every time. He is still posturing with his left arm and we are praying everyday that that will subside but a nurse told us she has seen patients posture longer and still have a full recovery.

We pray all of the time and give thanks to God for all of the healing so far and we ask for a full recovery. Kelly, Stephanie and I want to thank everyone for all of your support and ask that you continue to pray for Ryan.

Clemson Quarterback Rankings

Clemson has been fortunate to have some great quarterbacks in its history and since this is quarterbacks week on the blog, I wanted to give my top ten all-time signal callers. There were about 15-18 that I considered but these are my top ten. Feel free to debate.
1. Banks McFadden-might be the best football player in school history. Granted the position he played in the 1930s is different than today but McFadden was a freak of nature. The 1939 All-American season included a trip to the Cotton Bowl and a number 12 ranking. McFadden was more than a quarterback on the gridiron so his stats were not ultra-impressive but he is one of two All-American quarterbacks in school history. McFadden was All-Southern Conference as a senior.

2. Steve Fuller had the highest finish of any Clemson player in Heisman voting. Fuller started three seasons at Clemson and led the Tigers to the big turnaround of the program as a junior and senior. Clemson was 19-4-1 in those two seasons including a number 19 and a number 6 ranking. Fuller led Clemson to an ACC title as a senior and also led the Tigers to back-to-back Gator Bowls. Two of the most dramatic wins came under Fuller with the 1977 South Carolina touchdown pass to Jerry Butler in Columbia and the 1978 ACC title clincher in College Park, MD. Fuller was a dual threat signal caller and one of the brightest players in school history. He was an Academic All-American in 1977 and 1978 becoming the first Clemson quarterback to be honored with the award twice. Fuller was the ACC Player of the Year in 1977 and 1978.

3. Homer Jordan led Clemson to its only national championship in 1981. He was an All-ACC selection that same season. Jordan is still in the top 10 in school history in terms of passing yards, attempts and completions. Others may have been more talented but Jordan has THE Ring.

4. Woody Dantzler became the first quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 yards in the same season. He was a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist in 2000 and 2001. Dantzler set the school record for completions, yards and touchdown passes during his time at Clemson. He was an All-ACC selection in 2001. His performance in his senior year at NC State is still the greatest game I have seen a Clemson player play. Dantzler was one of the most exciting players in school history.

5. Charlie Whitehurst is the school's leading passer in terms of yards with 9,665 yards which is over 3,600 yards better than the next highest Tiger. Whitehurst threw more passes and completed more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than any quarterback in Clemson history. He was an All-ACC choice in 2005. He set 46 school records in his four years as a starter in Tigertown. Whitehurst was 4-0 against arch rival South Carolina.

6. Rodney Williams is the winningest quarterback in Clemson history and second in ACC history. His 32 wins between 1985 and 1988 included three bowl wins. Williams set the record for completions and yards passing before he graduated. If you needed a tough third down conversion on an option read then Williams was your man. Few players have shown his type of leadership.

7. Bobby Gage was an all-conference selection in 1948. He was a terrific athlete who led Clemson to a Southern Conference title and a number 11 ranking during the 1948 11-0 season.

8. Harvey White was an academic All-American in 1957. He helped Clemson to conference title in 1958 and 1959. He still ranks very high on most of the Clemson passing lists.

T-9th Charlie Bussey was an Academic All-American in 1956 and was the first of four Clemson quarterbacks to gain the honor.

T-9th Mike Eppley was a two-sport star at Clemson and an Academic All-American in football in 1984.

T-9th Cullen Harper broke 21 school records last year. He enters this season as the starter for just the second year but he has a chance to break even more career records this season.

864-834-6060

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency