South Carolina Wide Receiver Sidney Rice Named No. 19 Player on Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

SHREVEPORT, La. – There have been a plethora of great receiving performances in the Independence Bowl over the years, and the number 19 on the game’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team – South Carolina wide receiver Sidney Rice – had one of the best.

A redshirt freshman for Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks, Rice rewrote the receiving record book in the 2005 Independence Bowl – collecting 12 receptions for 191 yards and one touchdown (TD). At the time, both his 12 receptions and 191 receiving yards set single-game Independence Bowl records. He is still tied for the most receptions in an Independence Bowl – alongside Duke’s T.J. Rahming (2018) and Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Ford (2013) – and is fourth in single-game receiving yards.

After redshirting in 2004, Rice was one of the SEC’s most-productive receivers in 2005 and 2006. Beginning his career with a school-record eight straight gams with a TD, he recorded 70 receptions for 1,143 yards and 13 TDs in 2005 – being named first-team All-SEC – and added 72 receptions, 1,090 receiving yards, 10 TDs and second-team All-SEC honors in 2006. In just two seasons, Rice broke Sterling Sharpe’s South Carolina record for career touchdowns with 23.

Standing 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Rice was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He caught 31 passes for 396 yards and four TDs in his rookie season and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. After battling injury in 2008, he had the best season of his career in 2009. On his way to making his lone Pro Bowl team, Rice caught 83 balls for 1,312 yards and eight TDs. 

After an injury-marred 2010 season, Rice signed a five-year, $41 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He would go on to play three seasons in Seattle – catching 97 passes for 1,463 yards and 12 TDs. He was a member of the 2013 Seahawks squad that won Super Bowl XLVIII. Rice retired in July 2014 due to multiple concussions during his career.

The next player on the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, No. 18, will be announced on Monday, August 10. Players will be announced individually every Monday, with No. 1 being announced on Monday, December 7.

Previously Announced Members of the All-Time Team

The first 31 players on the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, as previously announced, include:

• No. 20 – Brad Smith (QB – Missouri, 2003 & 2005)
• No. 21 – Derrick Mason (WR – Michigan State, 1995)
• No. 22 – Garrison Hearst (RB – Georgia, 1991)
• No. 23 – Jacob Rodriguez (LB – Texas Tech, 2023)
• No. 24 – Tim Krumrie (NG – Wisconsin, 1982)
• No. 25 – Muhsin Muhammad (WR – Michigan State, 1995)
• No. 26 – Ja’Mar Toombs (RB – Texas A&M, 2000)
• No. 27 – Otis Wilson (LB – Louisville, 1977)
• No. 28 – A.J. Green (WR – Georgia, 2009)
• No. 29 – Rocky Calmus (LB – Oklahoma, 1999)
• No. 30 – Flozell Adams (OT – Michigan State, 1995)
• No. 31 – Willie Blade (DT – Mississippi State, 2000)
• No. 32 – Scott Thomas (S – Air Force, 1983 & 1984)
• No. 33 – Chad Hennings (DT – Air Force, 1984)
• No. 34 – Dameyune Craig (QB – Auburn, 1996)
• No. 35 – Geno Atkins (DT – Georgia, 2009)
• No. 36 – Rondell Mealey (RB – LSU, 1997)
• No. 37 – Rolando McClain (LB – Alabama, 2007)
• No. 38 – Weldon Brown (CB – Louisiana Tech, 2008)
• No. 39 – Andre Smith (OT – Alabama, 2006 & 2007)
• No. 40 – Tiki Barber (RB – Virginia, 1994)
• No. 41 – Puka Nacua (WR – BYU, 2021)
• No. 42 – Gary Kubiak (QB – Texas A&M, 1981)
• No. 43 – Seneca Wallace (QB – Iowa State, 2001)
• No. 44 – Todd McClure (C – LSU, 1995 & 1997)
• No. 45 – Gary Anderson (K – Syracuse, 1979)
• No. 46 – Booger McFarland (LB – LSU, 1995 & 1997)
• No. 47 – Tremaine Edmunds (LB – Virginia Tech, 2015)
• No. 48 – Bill Musgrave (QB – Oregon, 1989)
• No. 49 – Larry Anderson (DB – Louisiana Tech, 1977)
• No. 50 – Lorenza Baker (LB – Louisiana Tech, 1990)

Selection & Ranking Criteria and Committee

The list of the top 50 all-time players was compiled by an experienced and diverse committee that included local media members and representatives from the Independence Bowl. Players were nominated and evaluated based on the following criteria:

• 40 percent weight based on their Independence Bowl performance(s)
• 30 percent based on their college career and accolades
• 30 percent based on their pro career and accomplishments

To read more about the nomination and selection process, release schedule and selection and ranking committee, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/news.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary game set for Tuesday, December 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.