As the college football season moves into its second half, recruiting battles are heating up — and so is the drama. Maryland head coach Mike Locksley appeared to take a subtle jab at Shane Beamer and South Carolina after five-star defensive end Zion Elee, a Maryland commit, made an official visit to Columbia for the Gamecocks’ matchup against Alabama.
Appearing on 106.7 The Fan Wednesday, Locksley was asked about Elee’s trip to South Carolina. His response? A pointed remark wrapped in a smile.
“Why would I be mad for Zion to make five to ten grand to go down to South Carolina? He’s been one of those guys that’s been really loyal to this area, loyal to me and the program we’ve created,” Locksley said. “We have constant dialogue, so some of these schools have the ability to where they take kids to come take visits, and they hide it behind the NIL stuff.”
Then, seemingly aware of the bomb he had just dropped, Locksley quickly added:
“I’m not saying that’s what has happened.”
The comments sparked instant buzz because NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have become both the lifeblood and the gray area of college football recruiting. Locksley’s words hinted — even if indirectly — that South Carolina and others might be using NIL as a cover to pay recruits for visits, a suggestion that pushes the edge of NCAA rules and ethics.
While he stopped short of an outright accusation, the implication lingered. For Beamer and the Gamecocks, this isn’t unfamiliar territory — they’ve tangled with Maryland before.
Back in 2021, Beamer made headlines after linebacker Jaishawn Barham flipped from South Carolina to Maryland on National Signing Day. Beamer didn’t mince words at the time.
“When this particular young man committed on Saturday, about 10 minutes later I got a phone call … that said, ‘Just so you know, it’s all part of the plan,’” Beamer said then. “He’s going to flip on Wednesday and go to Maryland.”
That episode cemented a simmering rivalry between Beamer and Locksley — one fueled as much by recruiting crossfire as by personal pride.
Fast forward three years, and the script feels eerily similar. Elee, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end from St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), is the No. 1-ranked defensive end in the Class of 2026, per 247Sports. Though he committed to Maryland last December, he’s still exploring his options. His trip to South Carolina is significant — the Gamecocks have built a strong recruiting pipeline through Maryland, especially at St. Frances, where Barham once played.
That connection makes Elee’s visit more than just another recruiting stop — it’s a symbolic power play that could reignite tensions between both programs.
Still, Locksley’s frustration may run deeper than a single recruit. NIL has completely reshaped college football’s power dynamics, giving athletes financial freedom and leverage like never before. Loyalty and communication are no longer one-sided, and public shots between coaches only add fuel to an already volatile recruiting landscape.
At the end of the day, recruits hold the cards now — with money, mobility, and freedom to explore. If South Carolina impressed Elee in Columbia, no amount of sideline comments or subtle jabs will stop that relationship from growing.
