Shane Beamer fires back at report South Carolina gave two players record NIL deals

Jeff Hauser

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Shane Beamer fires back at report South Carolina gave two players record NIL deals image

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer moved quickly this week to shut down a viral report claiming record-setting NIL figures were attached to the return of two of the program’s biggest stars.

Gamecocks fans celebrated just before Christmas when quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart both announced their plans to return for the 2026 season after signing new revenue-share and NIL agreements.

But that excitement was followed by a report from Columbia’s SportsTalk Media Network suggesting the combined cost of the deals was “in the neighborhood of $5 million.”

Beamer publicly disputed that claim on Christmas Eve.

“Sounds to me like you need some much better sources,” Beamer wrote on X. “This isn’t even remotely close to being true. #AnythingForClicks #MerryChristmas.”

Sellers has emerged as one of college football’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, racking up 5,915 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns over the past two seasons. His return coincides with a major offensive reset, as Beamer hired Kendal Briles to replace Mike Shula after a 4-8 challenging 2025 campaign.

Stewart has become the star of South Carolina’s defense. The former Five-Star Plus+ recruit has produced 11 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles in just 24 career games, firmly establishing himself as one of the SEC’s most disruptive pass rushers.

While NIL speculation continues to swirl nationally, Beamer explained that Sellers and Stewart stayed for reasons beyond dollar signs. Both players believe in the direction of the program and see unfinished business in Columbia, according to Beamer. 

With two top playmakers locked in and running it back, South Carolina’s optimism for 2026 is no longer quiet, even if the rumored price tag was greatly exaggerated.

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Contributing Writer