COLUMBIA — The San Francisco 49ers are proving to be a popular place for South Carolina football players as they signed Boiling Springs native and former Gamecock quarterback Dylan Thompson to a free agent contract moments after the conclusion of the 2015 National Football League Draft.
"Proud to say I'm going to join the @49ers !!!! God is too good!!! Let's get after it!! #GratefulAndMotivated," Thompson tweeted.
Thompson set the record for most USC passing yards in a season during the 2014 campaign with 3,564. He completed 270 of 451 attempts. He threw for 26 touchdowns and was intercepted 11 times.
He was not invited to the National Football League Combine, but was impressive at USC's Pro Day, completing every pass thrown.
He was measured at 6-1 3/4 and 217 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
Prior to starting his senior season, Thompson received significant playing time as a backup to Connor Shaw as a sophomore and junior.
Like Thompson, Shaw joined the NFL as a free agent. He signed with the Cleveland Browns who eventually signed him two-year contract late in the season.
Thompson's most memorable start came as a sophomore when he filled in for an injured Shaw and led the Gamecocks to a 27-17 road win over Clemson.
The 49ers drafted USC running back Mike Davis in the fourth round and tight end Rory Anderson in the seventh.
Former Gamecock wide receiver Bruce Ellington just completed his rookie season with the team, while USC star running back Marcus Lattimore was drafted by San Francisco in 2013.
He spent almost two years with the 49ers before retiring from the sport.
