Pair of South Carolina walk-ons put on scholarship by Shane Beamer
Following South Carolina’s first scrimmage on Saturday, the team regrouped the next morning to watch the film from the day before.
Head coach Shane Beamer, standing at the front of the room, was breaking down the tape. With the creative media team secretly filming, you knew something big was probably going to happen shortly thereafter.
“The strength of the team is every individual in here, correct? The strength of this team is every single individual in this room. And the strength of every individual is this team. So no matter what your role is right now, no matter what your role is on August 31, like we need every single one of you,” Beamer said to the team in a video posted to the South Carolina Athletics YouTube page.
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As the footage from the scrimmage played, Beamer pointed out redshirt junior Ronnie Porter making a nice play on defense. Going into his fourth year, the walk-on linebacker is trying to make a name for himself this season. And then came the big news.
“Ronnie, I’ve seen you do it on defense. I’ve seen you. You were a starter last year on special teams. Seen you make plays, plays like this, man,” Beamer said to him. “I love it, look at that. I’m excited. And I’m so excited, I’m going to put you on scholarship.”
Porter is a local product from Columbia who played at Heathwood Hall Episcopal. He played in all 12 games last season for the Gamecocks, primarily on special teams. He recorded three tackles and one quarterback hurry.
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But that wasn’t all. Not long after all the players were celebrating Porter, Beamer had another important announcement to make.
“Love the energy right here by Bradley Dunn. That’s what he does every single day in the five years that he’s been in this program,” Beamer said later in the film session. “And that’s why he’s on scholarship, too.”
Dunn, who became the second player of the day to receive a scholarship, has been with the program since 2020 as a walk-on. He’s played in seven games during that time and logged five carries for 12 yards. With a lot of new faces in the running back room, he provides depth at that position.
South Carolina will be back in action for its second fall scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. Beamer is set to speak to the media afterwards.
