Former South Carolina football and basketball player Bruce Ellington is one of the best athletes the state has ever seen. That’s why it’s no surprise that he was recently elected to the Berkeley High School Hall of Fame.
A star at Berkeley High School, Ellington was a player to watch when he had the ball in his hands. Since he was the football team’s quarterback and also the Stags’ point guard on the hardwood, that meant fans couldn’t take their eyes off the field at any time.
Coming out of high school, Ellington was considered a 4-star prospect and top 100 player in the country in both sports, but decided to sign with the South Carolina basketball team as a star point guard in a highly touted 2010 recruiting class.
After playing only basketball as a freshman (and starting every game as the team’s point guard), Bruuuuuuuce joined Steve Spurrier’s squad and played both sports for the Gamecocks.
After taking a year to adjust to the college game, Ellington put together two more outstanding seasons as a wide receiver for the South Carolina football team, becoming one of the best to ever wear the garnet and black. He totaled over 1,700 yards of offense and 17 touchdowns in his three-year career, including over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons.
Ellington was also part of the Gamecock basketball team as they transitioned from the Darrin Horn era to Frank Martin at the helm of the program. He was a starter and leader for both coaches and averaged over 11 points and 3 assists over his career while playing excellent defense.
After a strong junior season on the gridiron, NFL scouts were dismayed to learn Ellington would play for Martin’s basketball team between the Clemson football game and the Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin, but that’s the type of competitor Bruce Ellington is. There was no end to #23.
Until an all-time great performance against the Badgers (6 catches for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 9-yard touchdown pass to Shaw, 2 4th-down conversions) led to a steep rise in his NFL Draft stock he planned to play the entire season. However, millions of dollars were at stake and Ellington’s basketball career was coming to an end.
He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. His five-year professional career had several bright spots, most notably his 2017 season with the Houston Texans, but injuries ultimately ended his playing days sooner than expected.
However, for many South Carolina football fans, Ellington is best known for his stunning play against the Missouri Tigers in 2013. Trailing 17-0 late in the third quarter, injured quarterback Connor Shaw entered the game, and he and Ellington went to work.
Shaw’s efforts combined with a ridiculous 6-yard touchdown catch from Ellington down the sideline, another diving catch from #23 down the middle of the field, and the pairing’s 4th-and-goal connection from the 15-yard loop overtime sparked one of the best comebacks in South Carolina football history.
Perhaps one day Ellington will receive a similar honor from the University of South Carolina, but for now he is very deserving as the latest inductee into the Berkeley High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
- Published September 9, 2023 at 8:07 a.m. EDT
- Last updated on September 9, 2023 at 8:07 a.m. EDT
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