Aug. 18, 2005

Fullback Lanard Stafford and outside linebacker Jerod June have been granted athletic scholarships for the 2005-06 school year, South Carolina Head Football Coach Steve Spurrier announced today.

Stafford, a 5-9, 253-pound sophomore fullback from Hemmingway, S.C., was the recipient of the team’s Steve Sisk Outstanding Blocker Award at the conclusion of spring practice. He originally joined the squad as an offensive lineman before converting to fullback in the spring.

June, a 5-11, 194-pound junior outside linebacker from Bonneau, S.C, earned the team’s Most Improved Defensive Back Award during spring practice. He missed much of the 2004 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his thumb.

In other news, the Gamecocks have added eight walk-on players to their roster. They include: Paul Haile, a wide receiver from Lexington, SC; Hardee Sanders, an offensive lineman from Barnwell, SC; Seth Varnadore, a quarterback from Palmetto, Fla.; Shiloh Sauls, a linebacker from Raleigh, NC; Brian Hayes, a linebacker from Hopkins, SC; Nitron Stork, a cornerback from Miami, Fla.; Jordan Dodds, a kicker from Orlando, Fla.; and Josh Epps a kicker from Sumter, SC.