Dec. 6, 2007

Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye and linebacker Cliff Matthews were named to the 2007 SEC All-Freshman Team, as selected by the league’s 12 coaches, it was announced today.

Ajiboye, a 6-1, 294-pound defensive tackle made 10 starts, most among the Gamecock freshmen. The Riverdale, Ga. native who attended Hargrave Military for one semester before enrolling at South Carolina in January of 2007, recorded 39 tackles, including 3.0 sacks. He registered a season-high six tackles, including 2.0 sacks in the win at North Carolina and was credited with five stops against both LSU and Arkansas.

Matthews, a 6-4, 234-pounder from Cheraw, S.C., logged 26 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss while starting each of the final nine games at outside linebacker. He moved into the starting lineup at LSU despite playing with a broken bone in his hand. He had a season-high four tackles against South Carolina State and matched that total against North Carolina.

Earlier this week, wide receiver Kenny McKinley, defensive end Eric Norwood and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn were named first-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches, while safety Emanuel Cook was a second team pick.

The Gamecocks wrapped up the 2007 regular season with a 6-6 record overall, 3-5 in SEC play.