South Carolina DB awarded scholarship during touching video

King-Demenian Ford is officially a scholarship athlete after South Carolina head coach Shame Beamer bestowed the honor to him during a recent practice.

The heartwarming moment for the junior defensive back was captured on video by the Gamecocks.

A moment @demenianford will never forget ? pic.twitter.com/jIUlruUsVv

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) August 25, 2023

“I’ll be able to pay you back for school,” Ford gleefully said to his father at the end of the video.

The South Carolina native played sparingly the last 2 seasons with 3 total tackles combined. However, now that he’s been converted, Ford figures to see an expanded role this season on defense.

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Ford is also a hard worker in the classroom, evident by being named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022.

South Carolina begins the regular season with a matchup vs. in-state rival North Carolina on Sept. 2 (7:30 p.m. ET/ABC).

North Carolina leads the all-time series 35-20-4 but South Carolina won the last contest in 2021.

Rolando Rosa