While the past few football seasons may not have been exactly what Cougar fans wanted, the numbers clearly show that Pulaski County has been very productive compared to other area schools when it comes to sending players to the highest level.
A quick check the website Profootballreference.com, along with the official website of the National Football League (NFL), shows that of all high schools in Virginia, Hampton High School has the highest number of former players who have made it to the NFL with 67, and seven of those are still active. Highland Springs can boast 31 players through the years, with three still in the league.
Looking at teams and programs that Pulaski County has played in the past, EC Glass is next on the list with 10 alumni who played in the league. GW Danville has had nine players in the NFL. Neither team has a player still active.
In 1993, the Cougars played Indian River, defeating them 24-7. Indian River has sent eight players to the NFL between 1977 and 2019. One of those players, defensive end Andrew Brown, is still playing with Chicago.
The Cougars have played Bethel High School twice, 1988 and 1989, defeating them 7-6 and 35-7. Bethel has sent seven players to the NFL between 1974-2021. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is still playing for Cleveland.
The Cougars hold a 5-1 advantage in games over Petersburg. They’ve sent six players to the league between 1985-2015. Pulaski County is 3-3 against Halifax County in football. The Comets have sent five players up between 1976-2008. The Cougars are 1-2 against Lafayette. They’ve sent five players to the league between 1979-2003. TC Williams, of “Remember the Titans” fame, beat the Cougars 13-0 in the third round of the playoff in 1984. They’ve sent four players to the NFL from 1987-2007. Mt. Vernon holds a 21-28 win over the Cougars from 1983. They’ve sent four players to the league between 1973-2010.
Several of the players from these players have played against the Cougars in high school or later in college.
So, how do the Cougars stack up against other local teams?
Pulaski County High School has officially sent four players to the NFL. That number is actually five if you count Dublin High School standout Charlie Sumner, who played from 1955-1962 as a defensive back for the Chicago Bears from 1955-1960, then the Minnesota Vikings from 1961-1962. In his six-year career Charlie recorded 21 interceptions (16 with Chicago and 5 with the Vikings), recovered two fumbles, and scored one touchdown. His touchdown was an 86-yard fumble recovery made December 7, 1958, in a game against the then Chicago Cardinals. He also returned 10 punts for 25 yards and 11 kickoffs for 307 yards. Charlie Sumner played in 73 games during his career, starting in 50 of them.
The first from the new high school was Gary Clark, who played for Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, and Miami from 1985-1995. Gary is most well-known for his time in Washington, where he was a member of “The Posse.” With the then Washington Redskins, Gary was a two-time Super Bowl Champion, a first-team All-Pro in 1987, a two time second-team All-Pro, a four-time Pro-Bowl selection, and was selected as a member of the “80 Greatest Redskins” and the Washington “Ring of Fame.” He played in 167 total games, caught 699 receptions for 10,856 yards, and caught 65 touchdowns. That includes a touchdown catch in Super Bowl XXII and another touchdown catch in Super Bowl XXVI. Gary Clark was the first receiver in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes in each of his first 10 NFL seasons.
Next up was kicker Shayne Graham. After setting or breaking nearly every kicking record at Pulaski County and Virginia Tech, Shayne went on to play for Seattle, New Orleans, Buffalo, Carolina, Cincinnati, Baltimore, New York Giants, New England, Washington, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta between 2001-2015. He was an All-Pro selection in 2005 and made the Pro Bowl that same year. He was good for 277 field goals, making 85.5% of his attempts, and had a longest field goal of 54 yards. He made 429-of-435 extra point attempts to reach 99.1% and 1,260 total points. After his playing days ended, he has worked as a special teams coach and kicking advisor.
Jeff King made a big mark at Pulaski County and Virginia Tech as a tight end, then moved on to play for the Carolina Panthers from 2006-2010, and then the Arizona Cardinals from 2011-2013. He recorded 156 receptions for 1,323 yards with 12 touchdowns during his career, but he was best known for his consistent blocking abilities. After retiring from playing, King was hired by the Chicago Bears as a pro scout. He was later promoted to assistant director of pro scouting in 2019, and then to director of pro scouting in 2021. May 3, 2022, Jeff was named co-director of personnel for the Bears.
Brandon Anderson left Pulaski County on a mission, doing a year at Hargrave Military School and then eventually landing at Akron University where his work ethic and passion for the game allowed him to shine. His NFL career began with the Indianapolis Colts, then quickly to the Cleveland Browns where he landed on the practice squad. Determined to succeed, Brandon made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad and then in 2009 he was activated to play in three games. He recorded an interception during a preseason game with the Buccaneers. He later moved to the Arena Football League, where he played first with the San Jose Sabercats, then the Chicago Rush and Cleveland Gladiators. In 2012, he was a key member of the Arizona Rattlers defensive backfield, winning the Arena Bowl XXV Championship. In the Arena Football League, he recorded 56 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions. Brandon now lives back in Pulaski County, where he spends much of his free time working with young athletes.
Other names could have been added to that list. One is former Cougar lineman Brent Osborne, who played his college football at Harvard University where he was a team leader on and off the field. After college, he made the practice squad for the Seattle Seahawks. While he played in some preseason games, he was also focused on his career in software design. He is now Vice President of Gaming and Simulation at HigherEchelone, Inc. and lives in Alabama.
He didn’t play in the NFL, but former Cougar and VT standout Todd Grantham has made a career out of coaching from the NFL to the college ranks. Starting out as a defensive end and linebacker coach at Virginia Tech, Grantham later moved on to Michigan State to serve as the defensive line coach and then assistant head coach. He then served as the defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans before being named the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. He later did a year as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. In 2010 he became the defensive coordinator, outside linebacker coach, and assistant head coach for the Georgia Bulldogs. After three years, he took on the same position for the Louisville Cardinals and then Mississippi State. From 2018-21 he served as the defensive coordinator for Florida. He currently is a defensive analyst for the University of Alabama.
There are also others who have made a run at the NFL or other professional football leagues. Matt “Tater” Roan and Mickey Thomas both made a run at a potential NFL career. Outside of the NFL, Frank Cobbs played for the Albany Conquest Arena Football League 2 team. Jawan Clark spent time with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
How do other area teams stack up against the Cougars?
William Fleming and Cave Spring are also on the list with four NFL players listed. William Fleming can celebrate John St. Clair, Lee Suggs, Jermaine Hardy, and Pete Johnson. Cave Spring can celebrate Danny Aiken Rhonde Barber, Tiki Barber, and Josh Woodrum.
Technically Salem has also had four players, but one came from the old Andrew Lewis High School, Don Oakes. Alex Light, Ricky Schmitt, and Dennis Haley are the Salem High School players.
Jefferson Forest has had three players in the NFL … Rashad Jennings, Jake Grove, and Erron Kinney.
Patrick Henry, Brookville, and Franklin County have each had two players made it to the NFL. The most recent recognizable name is Logan Thomas, who played quarterback at Virginia Tech and now plays tight end for the Washington Commanders.
Other area schools have one player each that made it to the show. George Wythe (Denver Mills, 1952), Northside (Boogie Basham, 2021-present), Danville High School (Don Thompson 1962-1064), and Radford High School (Donald Snell, 1987).