Georgia
Who: Richard Appleby (WR), Robert Kinnebrew (DL), Horace King (RB), Clarence Pope (LB) and Larry West (DB)
When: All signed to play at Georgia in 1971.
What happened: Appleby was part of one of the famous plays in Georgia history — his 80-yard end-around pass to Gene Washington beat Florida in 1975. King was a three-year starter and an all-SEC performer who played eight years in the NFL.
Where are they now: According to the latest information at Georgia, Appleby is a businessman in Hawaii; Kinnebrew is a purchasing director for Home Depot, living in Acworth; Pope (Athens) and West (Washington, D.C.) are ministers; King is a purchasing agent near Detroit.
Georgia Tech
Who: Karl Barnes (DB) walked on before the arrival of Eddie McAshan (QB), but saw playing time after McAshan.
When: McAshan started in 1970; Barnes earned a scholarship in 1971.
What happened: McAshan became the first African-American quarterback to start for a major Southern university when he faced South Carolina in September 1970. He led two late touchdown drives to beat the Gamecocks. Was dismissed from the team near the close of the ’72 season after a dispute with coach Bill Fulcher.
Where are they now: McAshan lives in Marietta, where he works for Life Foundation Inc., helping secure financial assistance for college students.
SEC
Who: Greg Page (DE) and Nat Northington (WR)
When: Signed by Kentucky in 1966, eligible in 1967.
What happened: Page was paralyzed during a preseason drill and died one day before the season-opening game in 1967. Northington became the first African-American to play in the conference, appearing in the Wildcats’ loss to Mississippi State. Northington appeared in three other games before, reportedly lonely and distraught over Page’s death, he transferred to Western Kentucky.
Where are they now: At last report, Northington was living in Louisville, Ky., and refusing all interview requests.
ACC
Who: Darryl Hill (WR)
When: Transferred from the U.S. Naval Academy to Maryland in 1962, eligible in 1963.
What happened: Hill made his debut at home against North Carolina State. Set a school record with 10 catches that season against Clemson, after almost boycotting the game when his mother was initially denied entrance to the stadium.
Where are they now: After a career as a speaker and entrepreneur, he returned to the University of Maryland, where he is a fundraiser.
Steve Hummer
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