Steve Taneyhill, one of the top athletes in Altoona Area High School history who went on to a record-setting career as quarterback at South Carolina, has died.

According to friends, Taneyhill passed away Sunday night in South Carolina from cancer. He was 52.

Taneyhill graduated from Altoona in 1992 and became the Gamecocks’ starter midway through his freshman season, a position he never relinquished.

He wound up making 40 career starts and left South Carolina as the school’s in career passing touchdowns (62) and pass completions (753).

He is No. 2 in career passing yards with 8,782 and is tied for third all-time with 20 wins as the Gamecocks starting quarterback.

He ranks among the career passing leaders in SEC history and signed a free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After his playing days, Taneyhill got into coaching and won five South Carolina state titles — three at Class A Chesterfield and two while coaching eight-man football at Cambridge Academy.

In addition to football, Taneyhill was Altoona’s all-time scoring leader in boys basketball with 1,627 points, a mark that still stands.

He earned all-state recognition in both sports.

The Mirror will have additional coverage in Tuesday’s print edition.