ORANGEBURG, SC – Former South Carolina State defensive back Dwayne Harper will become the fifteenth (15^th) Bulldog player or coach to be enshrined into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (SCAHOF) during an induction ceremony May 18 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with a welcome reception, with the program set to begin at 6 p.m.

Harper, an Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School graduate, who earned All-MEAC and All-America honors at SC State before enjoying a stellar National Football League career, is among ten (10) Palmetto State athletic standouts in the hall's Class of 2026.

Also being enshrined are former University of South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier, Clemson women's basketball coach Jim Davis, Coastal Carolina track and field star and three-time Olympic performer Amber Campbell, former USC and NFL defensive lineman Andrew Provence, Clemson pitcher and MLB standout Brian Barnes, Clemson long-time sports publicist and radio analyst Tim Bourret, Greenwood native and Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, Anderson native and UGA basketball great Saudia Roundtree, and long-time S.C. high school cross country and track coaching legend Bob Jenkins, who will be enshrined posthumously.

SCAHOF Executive Director Andy Solomon called the Class one of the most impressive in the 64-year history of the organization that honors individual who have made significant contributions to the great athletic legacy in South Carolina.

"Once again, we have another impressive class that will be enshrined in our state's hall of fame in May," Solomon said. "We are thrilled with the tremendous individuals who create the Class of '26."

Harper, a starter for four seasons during his Bulldog career (1984-1987), earned first-team All-MEAC honors in 1986, when he also was named to the Associated Press (AP) Div. I-AA All-America team. As a Bulldog senior, he intercepted eighth passes, which tied a program record at the time.

The Bulldog cornerback was drafted in the 11^th round of the 1988 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. His 12-year pro career included six seasons (1988-1993) with Seattle, five (1994-1998) with the San Diego Chargers, and one (1999) with Detroit. He started at cornerback for the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX and racked up 571 total tackles in 148 career games. He had at least three interceptions in five of his 12 seasons.

He was inducted into the MEAC Hall of Fame in 2019 and to the S.C. Football Hall of Fame in 2022

Harper has been an entrepreneur since retiring from football. He and his family now make their home in Columbia, SC.

SC State SC Athletic HOF Inductees
Oliver C. Dawson (1974), coach
David "Deacon" Jones (1980), football
Donnie Shell (1986), football
Harry Carson (1989), football
John Gilliam (1992), football
Barney Chavous (1992), football
Willie Jeffries (1996), coach
Charlie Brown (2004), football
Robert Porcher (2009), football
Edwin Bailey (2014), football
Willie Simon (2017), coach
Samuel "Herc" Goodwin (2018), football
Roberta Williams (2020), basketball
Oree Banks (2024), coach