Dec. 23, 2008

The University of South Carolina football staff has announced the signing of two junior college players to National Letters of Intent. Linebackers Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson, both from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, will join the Gamecocks’ program in January.

Straughter, a 6-0, 215-pound outside linebacker, is a four-star prospect and considered the 10th-best junior college player in the country by Rivals.com. Straughter, who hails from Madison, Fla, and played for Madison County High School, played for coach Bert Williams at GMC. As a freshman in 2007 he recorded 30 tackles in 10 games.

Dickerson, a 6-2, 220-pound outside linebacker, is also a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and considered the 40th-best junior college prospect in the country. He recorded 32 tackles and four sacks as a freshman while playing for Bert Williams at Georgia Military in 2007. The Kingsland, Ga. native attended Camden County High School.

Staughter and Dickerson helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular season finish and a spot in the Mississippi Bowl, where they were defeated by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Straughter was named the defensive player of the game for GMC.