South-Carolina

New South Carolina linebacker impressed by returner: 'He's got everything'

Published

9 months ago

March 26, 2025

New South Carolina linebacker impressed by returner: 'He's got everything'

On Wednesday, several South Carolina football players spoke to the media after practice. Among them were a pair of linebackers, sophomore Fred “JayR” Johnson and transfer portal redshirt freshman Justin Okoronkwo.

Okoronkwo was up first, and after a week of practicing alongside Johnson, the former Alabama Crimson Tide ‘backer sang his new teammate’s praises. “Fred Johnson is a crazy athlete. He’s fast, he’s physical. He’s got everything that a linebacker needs,” Okoronkwo said.

At 6-3 and 244 pounds with elite speed for the position, Okoronkwo’s assessment is correct. The quote of praise also matches what others have said about Johnson during his brief time as a Gamecock.

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He played a lot of special teams for the 2024 version of the South Carolina football team but was behind NFL Draft hopefuls like Demetrius Knight, Bam Martin-Scott, and Debo Williams, specifically listed as the backup to Knight at the Mike linebacker spot. His snaps on defense were limited, but all year, coaches and players praised his athletic profile and improving mental understanding of the game.

Knight called Johnson’s potential “off the charts” and praised his “sponge”-like willingness to learn and better himself. Ahead of Citrus Bowl practice, Williams went as far as to say he “expect[s] nothing but the best” for Johnson’s career. All-American safety Nick Emmanwori says he remembers the young defender making a lot of “woah” plays at practice last season.

Defensive coordinator Clayton White has lauded Johnson’s athleticism and work ethic this offseason. According to the South Carolina DC, if he “keep[s] grinding every day, and then [he] will be great.”

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Both Johnson and Okoronkwo expect to factor into the starting linebacker battles this spring and summer. They will be joined by Shawn Murphy–another transfer who spent some time at Alabama–and returner Jaron Willis. Incoming freshmen Donovan Darden, Taeshawn Alston, AJ Holloway, and Josh Smith will join with former walk-ons Ronnie Porter and Colin Bryant in the linebacker competition, too.

Despite having to replace three high-level players from last year’s room, Johnson is confident in USC’s current crop of linebackers. During his media availability on Monday, Johnson said that this year’s group still has a high level of “speed and strength.” He complimented Murphy’s knowledge and understanding of defensive football and Okoronkwo’s physical gifts.

Johnson added that he’s confident in his own abilities to be a big part of the team’s linebacker success. He said that he will be holding himself to an “expectation of dominance,” a standard also held by his predecessors. Last season, Williams, Knight, and Martin-Scott played and led with confidence. If Johnson and company can replicate that attitude in 2025, the South Carolina defense can be special once again.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 8-0-3, FB: 2

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-7-3-9, FB: 2

Evening: 7-1-9-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

07-18-20-25-41

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South-Carolina

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Teacher salaries across South Carolina could rise under a new state education funding plan approved this week, as lawmakers are urged to spend more money on pay raises and rethink how teacher recruitment programs are working.

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee voted to approve its Education Improvement Act (EIA) budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026–27, which direct how money from the state’s one-cent education sales tax should be used.

The plan now goes to the General Assembly for consideration during budget talks.

A major focus of the proposal is increasing teacher pay. The committee recommended a $650,454 raise for teachers at special schools, with remaining new funds directed to the statewide EIA line that helps fund teacher salaries.

The plan also boosts the Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which members said is one of the few recruitment efforts producing results.

The committee approved a $640,000 increase to add 20 new four-year scholarships and another $1.76 million to raise the scholarship amount by $4,000, bringing the total award for juniors and seniors to $10,000.

At the same time, the committee cut $5 million in recurring funding from the National Board program, citing a drop in participation.

EIA-funded programs collectively asked for about $210 million in new funding, but available money is limited. The state has about $98.9 million in new recurring EIA funds and $84.1 million in nonrecurring funds to work with.

The committee recommended spending most recurring funds on classroom support, including $77.5 million for instructional support and $10 million for instructional materials.

Other recurring funding includes $1.4 million for the Teacher Career Ladder, $250,000 for Project Read and $150,000 for the S.C. Council on Economics. Nonrecurring funds include $5 million for school safety.

Members also approved changes to rules tied to the Teacher Loan Program and asked that districts in the state’s 4K waitlist pilot not be required to complete a student survey.

During the meetings, committee members raised concerns about the low number of teachers produced by most EIA-funded recruitment programs.

Teaching Fellows was highlighted as an exception, producing 177 teachers last fiscal year.

Members also questioned continued funding for SC Youth Challenge and incentives tied to the Rural Teacher Recruitment program.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 3-8-2, FB: 0

Evening: 1-0-6, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 9-6-5-7, FB: 0

Evening: 7-9-1-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 13

Evening: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

13-19-23-32-35

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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