Dewayne Rudd

Football Player, South Panola High Batesville, MS 1990 to 1993

Dewayne Rudd played for the South Panola Tigers from 1990-1993 under Coach Willis Wright. Dwayne was one of the most decorated football players to come from South Panola. He earned a lot of firsts as a hard-knocking defensive end on the Tiger defense. He was the first Dandy Dozen, the first Parade AllAmerican and first Blue-chip Illustrated’s All-American. He was named to the All-American and All-State teams. In 1992 he received the Chickasaw Conference All-Conference. In 1993, he was No. 1 on the Clarion-Ledger’s top 40 recruits. Sports South named him to the All-South Team in 1993.

Dwayne played a major part of the school’s first undefeated state championship team in 1993. During his senior season for South Panola, Rudd had 61 tackles (31 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and scored one touchdown. He made history as one of five players from South Panola who played in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game. He was named to the MSWA All-State team. Dwayne also signed a full football scholarship at the University of Alabama. In Alabama, he was the SEC Defensive Player of the year.

Dwayne Rudd was the first South Panola football player to be drafted to the NFL as the 20th pick in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1997. He was selected to the NFL All-Pro Second Team in 1998 and retired in 2003. Rudd holds the NFL record for the most total fumble return yards in a single season with 157, which he set in 1998. He also shares the NFL record (with many players) both for the most total fumble recoveries for touchdowns in a season and the most opponent fumble recoveries for touchdowns in season, with two each.