South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer didn’t hold back when confronting what he characterized as inaccurate reporting about the financial packages that secured the returns of quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive end Dylan Stewart for the 2026 season. The fifth-year Gamecocks coach took to social media on Christmas Eve to forcefully dispute claims about the combined cost of retaining his two stars.
The Report and the Rebuttal
A report from SportsTalk Media Network surfaced on Tuesday that the NIL deals signed by Sellers and Stewart would cost about five million dollars from South Carolina’s revenue share total . The figure quickly gained traction across college football social media, sparking widespread discussion about the escalating costs of roster retention in the modern NIL era.
Beamer’s response came swiftly and unequivocally. He took to Twitter to deny the report, writing: “Sounds to me like you need some much better sources. This isn’t even remotely close to being true. #AnythingForClicks. #MerryChristmas” . The pointed nature of his response underscored both his frustration with the speculation and his desire to control the narrative surrounding his program’s financial commitments.
The Stakes Behind the Numbers
Regardless of the precise figures involved, South Carolina’s investments in Sellers and Stewart represent critical strategic decisions for a program attempting to rebound from a disappointing 4-8 season. Both players announced their returns this week—Sellers on Monday via social media, followed by Stewart on Tuesday through Instagram—providing the foundation for the Gamecocks’ 2026 rebuilding effort.
The timing of both announcements, coupled with the immediate speculation about their financial arrangements, highlighted the complexity of roster management in college football’s NIL and revenue-sharing landscape. Programs must now balance competitive compensation packages with budget constraints while maintaining public messaging that doesn’t alienate other roster members or create unrealistic expectations.
Sellers’ Journey and Market Value
The quarterback’s path to this moment has been marked by both stellar performance and unwavering loyalty to South Carolina. According to CBS Sports, a source indicated that Sellers’ 2026 contract far exceeds his previous deal, which was worth approximately $1.7 million for the 2025 season .
His market value was established well before this latest agreement. Last summer, Sellers’ father told The Athletic that his son received an NIL offer from an interested program worth eight million dollars for two years —a figure that matched reported offers to other elite quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
Sellers has been one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football over the past two seasons, accumulating 5,915 total yards and 43 touchdowns as South Carolina’s starter during the 2024-25 campaigns . His production included historic freshman-year numbers that placed him alongside Johnny Manziel and Jalen Hurts as only the third player in FBS history to throw for 2,500 yards and rush for 500 yards in his first season.
Despite external interest and lucrative offers, Sellers has consistently expressed his commitment to South Carolina. His loyalty stems from relationships, family presence in Columbia, and a belief in the program’s direction—factors that transcend pure financial considerations.
Stewart’s Elite Trajectory
Stewart finished the 2025 season with 33 total tackles, two passes defended, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Over his career with the Gamecocks, he has compiled 56 total tackles, three passes defended, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles .
Despite his sack total dipping to 4.5 in 2025 after posting seven the previous year, Stewart’s overall impact remained strong. He earned an EDGE impact grade of 80.3, ranking 34th nationally, and posted an overall defensive impact grade of 87.5, which ranked eighth in the country.
The decreased production likely reflected increased attention from opposing offenses rather than diminished ability. Even with fewer counting statistics, Stewart’s presence altered game plans weekly, a hallmark of elite edge defenders .
Beamer’s Message Beyond the Numbers
Beamer’s forceful denial served multiple purposes beyond simple fact-checking. His response demonstrated his willingness to push back against narratives he views as harmful to his program, regardless of whether those narratives involve overestimated or underestimated figures.
While the reported numbers may have been exaggerated, South Carolina fans are unlikely to concern themselves with whether the actual cost was five million, six million, or seven million dollar . What matters is retaining two of the program’s most physically gifted and productive players during a critical rebuilding period.
Keeping two of the most physically talented players in college football gives South Carolina a foundation few programs can match. If the Gamecocks can improve the talent level around them, particularly in the trenches and at wide receiver, they have a realistic path back into contention in 2026 .
The Bigger Picture
The controversy surrounding the reported figures highlights broader challenges facing college football programs in the NIL era. Accurate information about player compensation rarely becomes public, creating a vacuum that speculation and unverified reports often fill. For coaches like Beamer, managing public perception becomes as important as managing the actual roster construction and financial commitments.
Beamer earlier this month acknowledged the need for improvement across the board, stating: “He’ll be the first to tell you he needs to play better, and we’ve got to coach him better. We’ve got to be better around him, and we all have to be accountable. He understands that. All indications I’ve had from LaNorris are that he wants to be here. He knows that the job is not finished, and there’s a lot of excitement about ’26” .
With new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles installing his system, elite defensive line coach Deion Barnes joining the staff, and both Sellers and Stewart returning, South Carolina enters 2026 with renewed optimism. Whether the combined investment reaches five million dollars, exceeds it, or falls short, the strategic decision to retain both cornerstones signals the program’s commitment to competing at the highest level—regardless of what headlines suggest about the price tag.
