Dialed In

Former Woodruff Star Marcellas Dial gives Back to Woodruff Youth with Football Camp

By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer

Marcellas Dial is used to hard work.

Dial, who was a star defensive back for the Woodruff Wolverines from 2016-2018, is now in his second season with the University of South Carolina. Playing high-level football for an SEC program was always Dial’s goal, but he first had to play one season at Georgia Military Junior College to earn his spot in the country’s premier football conference.

Dial is now passing on that desire to work hard and his love of the game to a younger generation of future Wolverines. As part of that effort, Dial hosted the first ever ‘Dialed in’ football camp at Woodruff’s McKinney Park on Saturday, December 17, with special guests and Gamecock teammates Mo Kaba, Xavier Legette, and Sherrod Greene.

For two hours, Dial and his teammates gave instruction to over 20 up-and-coming football players in Woodruff between the ages of 7 and 12. Hosting a camp event was something Dial says he wanted to do to give back to his hometown.

“This means the world to me,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is what it’s all about, coming back and giving back to the community and the place you grew up and played your ball at. I just want to show the kids that (playing college football) is possible and encourage them, paving the way for the youth. Not many people make it out of Woodruff, so being able to show them it’s possible is a big thing and something I plan to keep doing.”

Dial also said he had a great time introducing his teammates Kaba, Legette, and Greene to his hometown and showing them legendary W.L. Varner Stadium, where he played for the Wolverines.

“My guys Mo, Xavier, and Sherrod, they enjoyed coming with me and had a fun time,” continued Dial. “They told me they didn’t expect Woodruff to be this nice because I told them I live in the country out in the middle of nowhere, but they definitely had a good time. Like I said, it was just great to be out here and do this camp.”

Most of the garnet and black clad kids who participated in the camp were thrilled to get one-on-one instruction from some of their favorite college football players and their hometown hero. Following the two-hour event, Dial and his teammates stayed, and all signed autographs for every participant to the delight of all the kids who took part.

Dial and his teammates certainly had a busy Saturday, with each of them making the trip from Columbia to Woodruff following the Gamecocks’ practice in preparation for their Gator Bowl match-up with Notre Dame. For Dial, who has recorded 41 tackles and 3 interceptions for the Gamecocks this season, including a game-sealing pick against Clemson, it was a nice break from the rigors of practice.

“We’re getting back into football and are three days in (practicing for Notre Dame), so coming out here was like a little extra fresh restart,” Dial said. “It is definitely something to get your mind off football for a little bit while giving back to the community. Having fun and having a good time.”

And did Marcellas see any potential future Gamecock recruits among the participants?

“I saw a lot of talent out here today!” beamed Dial. “A lot of good, young talent that’s going to develop into great players for the Wolverines, I’m sure. Hopefully, one day they will be able to play for South Carolina too.”