Aug. 21, 2006

Five walk-on football players have been rewarded with scholarships for the 2006-07 school year, head coach Steve Spurrier announced today.

The five include offensive guards Thomas Coleman and Seth Edwards, deep snapper Scott Morgan, quarterback Brett Nichols and linebacker Greg Wright. Coleman, Edwards, Morgan and Nichols are all seniors, while Wright is a junior.

“This is very rewarding for me and it’s great to be able to take some of the financial burden off my dad,” said Nichols. “I am thankful to Coach Spurrier and to the rest of the coaches for putting me on scholarship.”

Coleman is projected to be the Gamecocks starter at left guard when the season opens at Mississippi State on Aug. 31. The Johnston, S.C. product worked his way into four starts at three different positions along the offensive line in 2005.

Edwards made the transition to the offensive line this year after playing on the defensive side of the ball throughout his collegiate career. A native of Charlotte, N.C., Edwards is currently backing up Coleman at left guard.

Morgan, who hails from North Augusta, S.C., has been a three-year starter as the snapper on extra points and field goals. He is also the number two deep snapper on punts.

Nichols, a 6-1, 217-pounder from Simpsonville, S.C. saw action late in the Auburn game last season as a backup signal-caller.

Wright, who transferred to Carolina in the spring of 2005, saw action in five contests a year ago, primarily on special teams. He is a 5-10, 212-pounder from Cross, S.C.