Photo by Mike Rosier/Publisher

Strom Thurmond senior Tristan Bellamy.

ORANGEBURG - With National Signing Day exactly four weeks away, South Carolina State has picked up its first verbal commitment for the incoming freshman class.

Senior offensive lineman Tristan Bellamy of Strom Thurmond announced Monday his intentions of signing with the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, according to head coach Lee Sawyer. The 6-3, 285-pound Bellamy chose S.C. State over Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern.

"They did a good job in convincing him that he can come in and play very early and they felt like he could be a big time player for them," Sawyer said. "And one of my former players (defensive lineman Matt Key) is playing down there and he did a good job in recruiting him."

Bellamy lettered two seasons at guard and center for the Rebels.

As a senior, he led the way for a Strom Thurmond team which went undefeated during the regular season and averaged 335.6 yards per contest For his efforts, Bellamy was selected to participate in the North-South All-Star Classic where he was member of the victorious North team.

The night before at the annual banquet, Bellamy received a special scholarship for Best Character and Leadership Skills.

Along with those attributes, Sawyer said Bellamy brings plenty of upside to the Bulldogs.

"He's one that's going to keep getting better," Sawyer said. "He really kind of came into his own this past year, but I still think his best football is ahead of him. He's a young guy who's getting stronger and stronger and he's going to be versatile. They'll be able to play him at any position on the offensive line other than tight end. He can play center, he can play guard or he can play tackle."

Bellamy is the second offensive lineman brought into the Bulldog fold as they look to replace departing four-year starter and MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year Raymond "Duck" Harrison.

S.C. State has already signed junior college center Sam Timothy (6-3, 260 lbs.) out of Foothills College in California and will host its first recruiting weekend Jan. 15-16.

The Bulldogs will open spring practice March 23 culminating in the annual Spring Game on April 18 at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.