COLUMBIA — In the middle of preseason practices filled with tense position battles as South Carolina football approaches its 2024 season opener, coach Shane Beamer surprised walk-on linebacker Ronnie Porter and running back Bradley Dunn with the news that he is putting both on scholarship.

According to a video posted on the team's social media on Sunday, Beamer made the announcement in front of the whole team, which caused the room to celebrate and hype up the two.

Both players are local to Columbia and went to high school five miles from South Carolina's campus.

Porter, who went to Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, played special teams last season. The 6-foot-1, 244-pounder played in 12 games in 2023 and had three tackles. He is a redshirt junior this season.

"I've seen you make plays . . . nice job (Porter), I'm excited, I love it, I'm so excited that I'm going to put you on scholarship," Beamer said.

The 5-8, 210-pound Dunn, who graduated from Hammond School, is in his fifth season with the Gamecocks. His first game was in 2021, when he rushed for 4 yards on two attempts, and he was on the scout team in 2022. Last season, he played in six games and had 8 yards on three attempts. In the spring, Dunn sprained his ankle and did not play in the spring game.

"Love the energy here from (Dunn), that's what he does every single day in the five years he's been in this program and that's why he's on scholarship, too," Beamer said.

South Carolina opens its season on Aug. 31 (4:15 p.m. ET,, SEC Network) against Old Dominion at Williams-Brice Stadium.

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Shane Beamer awards two South Carolina football players scholarships