Duce Staley, middle, of the Philadelphia Eagles and a former USC football player, watches as participants compete in a drill at the Jimmie Jones football camp Thursday morning June 18, 1998. CHRIS THELEN/STAFF

Staley visits football camp

Staley, a former Airport High and University of South Carolina standout, visited the inaugural Jimmie Johnson Football Camp at Josey High

Web posted June 19, 1998

By Dwight Foxx
Staff Writer

Looking for a player to enhance your fantasy football team? Duce Staley may be a sleeper.

Staley, a former Airport High and University of South Carolina standout, visited the inaugural Jimmie Johnson Football Camp at Josey High on Thursday. Now that all-pro running back Ricky Watters has left for Seattle, the second-year pro is expecting to see more playing time this season.

``I learned a lot from him,'' Staley said of Watters. ``I learned how to play the game and how to take care of yourself from him. Hopefully, Charlie (Garner) and I can fill his role.''

Jimmie Johnson gives a pep talk to the kids attending his inagural football camp at Josey High Hchool on thursday morning. TODD BENNETT/STAFF

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Staley felt he was ready to play last season as a rookie, but with Watters in front of him, he saw limited playing time. Staley, who rushed for 1,116 yards and was a first team all-SEC selection in 1996, was drafted in the third round by the Eagles in 1997.

Staley has been working out in Columbia, gearing up for the upcoming season. Mike White, the brother of former Richmond Academy basketball star Gerald White, also was at the camp helping out former Josey star Jimmie Johnson.

Some assistant coaches from South Carolina State also were on hand.

White is an assistant coach at Albany State and played professionally for Seattle and Cincinnati. Josey running back Chip Dykes, who should be one of the area's top running backs this season, was at the camp getting pointers from Staley.

Duce Staley, right, of the Philadelphia Eagles and a former USC football player, closes out the day's camp with a group high five during the Jimmie Johnson Football Camp Thursday morning. TODD BENNETT/STAFF

``Jimmie is a close friend of mine,'' Staley said. ``I wanted to be here since it's close (from Columbia to Augusta) and to help him out. We are trying to teach fundamentals and discipline and let them know that we care and that's why we are out here.''

Approximately 65 children attended the morning session for ages 7 to 12, while approximately 60 attended the afternoon session for ages 13 to 17.

The free camp continues today with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The morning session runs from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 7-12, and the afternoon session is from 1 to 4 p.m. for ages 13 to 17.