South Carolina, Panus family award third Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship
The memory of Jake Panus continues to live on in South Carolina.
For a third straight year, the Gamecocks and Stephen Panus have awarded a scholarship to a South Carolina walk-on in honor of his late son, Jake.
This year’s recipient is redshirted junior defensive back King-Demenian Ford. Ford becomes the third Gamecock to receive the honor. He joins wide receiver Payton Mangrum (2022) and long snapper Matthew Bailey (2021).
[GamecockCentral Business Network]
“On behalf of my family, we’re proud to see King Ford rewarded with the well-deserved Jake Panus Walk On Football Scholarship,” Stephen Panus told Gamecock Central. “His work ethic, team-first mentality, grit and joy are reminiscent of Jake, and it brings us much joy to welcome King to the family.”
The fourth-year defensive back from Blythewood walked onto the program in 2020. Since then, he’s carved out a role primarily on special teams while providing depth at safety. Last season, Ford earned his first letter appearing in seven games and blocking punts against South Carolina State and Kentucky.
“We look forward to watching King continue to make plays on the field for the Gamecocks this season and to represent the University of South Carolina proudly off the field. Being able to be present at practice today and witness the pure joy on King’s face when he learned the news is meaningful.”
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The Jake Panus Walk-on Football Endowed Scholarship was recently established. According to the University, it “provides a walk-on football player who, through hard work and perseverance, earns an athletic scholarship and contributes toward the success of the Gamecock football team, the University and the community at large. The student-athlete will share Jake’s leadership attributes while demonstrating a motivated work ethic, fierce determination, team-first mentality, and grit on the football field.”
Jake was a 16-year-old resident of Southport, Ct. He grew up sporting a South Carolina jersey at a young age and dreamed of one day playing for the Gamecocks. That dream was tragically taken away when he lost in life in a senseless DUI accident on Aug. 9, 2020.
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“I want you to imagine a boy who had a dream,” Stephen said in 2021 when he addressed USC’s team. “That dream was to attend the University of South Carolina and to be a Gamecock. He was committed, determined, had passion and love. (Jake) was a boy who had a heart, a selfless heart. He had a lot of courage and he had the will of a champion. A boy that would’ve done anything to be in this room here today with you guys. A boy who bleed garnet and black.”
With the help of Shane Beamer and South Carolina, Jake’s memory is alive and well.
To donate to the Jake Panus Walk-on Football Endowed Scholarship in an effort to help future Gamecock walk-ons and keep Jake’s memory alive, click HERE.
