ATHENS--------- University of Georgia senior defensive lineman Brandon Wheeling, a walk-on from Dallas, Ga., has been awarded a scholarship by UGA head coach Mark Richt.

“It’s always a very exciting time for me to award a scholarship to a deserving walk-on and Brandon Wheeling has done an outstanding job of earning that right,” said Richt.  “We are excited about the character and physical and mental toughness he brings to this football team.  We are excited to put him on scholarship.”

Named the Outstanding Walk-on at the conclusion of 2009 spring drills, he transferred to UGA from West Georgia in 2008 and sat out the ’08 season.  Wheeling is a graduate of Paulding County High School where he was named All-Region as a senior in addition to being named team captain.  He was coached by Rick Sauls at Paulding.