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ICYMI: King Demenian-Ford Suprised With Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship

South Carolina's Football program awarded a scholarship to walk-on safety King Demenian-Ford on Friday, one with a special meaning behind it.
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One of the best things about college sports, and particularly college football, is when a walk-on on a team is rewarded a scholarship for the hard work and dedication they've exhibited both on their team and in the classroom. On Friday afternoon, King Demenian-Ford, a safety for South Carolina's Football team, was the latest Gamecock player to receive one, and it took place in the middle of a walkthrough practice in front of all of his teammates.

Demenian-Ford, however, received more than just a scholarship; he received the Jake Panus Walk-On Scholarship, becoming the third South Carolina Football player to receive it. The scholarship is named after Jake Panus, a young man who tragically passed away a few years ago at 16 years of age. His father, Stephen Panus, attended the University of South Carolina, and it was Jake's dream to one day do the same until his life was tragically cut short.

That alone makes this special moment even more so for King Demenian-Ford, a defensive back who has really made strides on the field this offseason and has been seen taking reps with the second-team defense on numerous occasions in Fall camp. Demenian-Ford will undoubtedly use his confidence boost from receiving a scholarship to his advantage for the rest of his college career, but for now, congratulations, young King, on an honor well deserved.

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