South Carolina received significant news when it was able to bring back highly regarded talents in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge defender Dylan Stewart.
In the new NIL era, head coach Shane Beamer wasted no time pushing back on a report claiming the Gamecocks spent roughly $5 million to retain Sellers and Stewart.
Shane Beamer Shuts Down The Rumors
Following speculation surrounding South Carolina’s ability to keep both stars amid transfer portal and NFL draft buzz, Beamer took to X to directly dispute the claim. A report from SportsTalk Media Network claimed that “a source confirmed” the combined deals for Sellers and Stewart would cost “in the neighborhood of $5 million” from the school’s revenue-sharing total.
Beamer responded: “Sounds to me like you need some much better sources. This isn’t even remotely close to being true #AnythingForClicks #MerryChristmas.”
Sounds to me like you need some much better sources
This isn’t even remotely close to being true #AnythingForClicks #MerryChristmas https://t.co/ZTw4nKSLKr
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) December 24, 2025
With South Carolina coming off a disappointing 2025 season, many around college football assumed it would take an aggressive financial commitment to keep two of the program’s most valuable assets. Sellers had potential options in the transfer portal and could have explored an NFL decision, while Stewart remains one of the SEC’s most physically gifted edge defenders.
Their decision to return sparked immediate speculation about the price tag, speculation Beamer was quick to dismiss.
Regardless of the actual figures, keeping both players represents a major win for the Gamecocks as they look to reset expectations heading into 2026.
LaNorris Sellers’ Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story
From a box-score perspective, Sellers’ 2025 season fell short of expectations. However, the underlying context paints a different picture. Despite possessing arguably the best combination of arm talent and athleticism in college football, Sellers was hampered by a struggling supporting cast.
South Carolina’s offensive line posted a PFSN impact grade of just 73.2, ranking 79th nationally, while allowing a sack rate of 12.6%, which ranked 134th in the country. Compounding the issue, no wide receiver on the roster earned a PFSN impact grade higher than 79. Under those conditions, even elite quarterbacks would struggle to produce consistently.
Sellers’ return gives South Carolina a rare developmental advantage: a high-ceiling quarterback entering another season with experience, continuity, and something to prove.
Dylan Stewart Still a Defensive Cornerstone
On the defensive side, Dylan Stewart continues to be one of the most disruptive athletes in the SEC. While his sack total dipped to 4.5 in 2025 after posting seven the year before, his overall impact remained strong.
Stewart 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 decrease in raw production likely reflects increased attention from opposing offenses and a lack of complementary pass-rushing threats around him. Even with fewer counting stats, Stewart’s presence altered game plans weekly, a hallmark of elite edge defenders.
Beamer’s response was not just about correcting the record, but about controlling the narrative. While the reported numbers were exaggerated, South Carolina fans are unlikely to care whether the cost was $5 million, $6 million, or $7 million. What matters is that Sellers and Stewart remain Gamecocks.
Keeping two of the most physically gifted 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, similar to the expectations that surrounded the program entering 2025.
