LAUREN HARGROVE

Former Atlanta Journal prep editor Gene Asher in his book, “Legends: Georgians Who Lived Impossible Dreams,’’ stated that Lauren Hargrove was the most recruited player in the country as a high school senior. He was a 1948 Wigwam Wiseman All-American, the only one from Georgia. He made first-team All-Southern as a senior and a junior. Nicknamed the “Fabulous Phantom of Fitzgerald,” Hargrove scored 421 points in his high school career, scoring more than 60 touchdowns in an era when teams played fewer games and scored half the points as they do today. Atlanta Constitution sports editor Jesse Outlar said Hargrove “has been called the outstanding breakaway runner in Georgia prep history.” With 9.7-second speed across 100 yards, Hargrove led Fitzgerald to the 1948 Class A title with a 20-19 victory over Decatur. He scored two touchdowns after Fitzgerald trailed 13-0 and recovered the fumble to set up the game-winner. Often injured in college, Hargrove was largely a backup at Georgia, but his 167 yards rushing in the 1951 Auburn game was a Bulldogs record for 22 years. Hargrove was an eighth-round NFL Draft pick in 1953 and played briefly for the Packers before joining the Army. Hargrove worked most of his adult life for Ford Steel Company in Atlanta. He passed away in 2009 at age 79.