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An SEC team’s NIL collective is being ripped apart on social media thanks to a now-deleted tweet. The University of South Carolina is the focal point of online criticism following an interesting comment about paying players.
The reply came in direct response to a Gamecocks insider’s remarks about the program’s recruiting efforts. It’s since been taken down from the NIL collective’s Twitter timeline, but nothing truly disappears on the internet.
The Garnet Trust is the collective in question due to its latest social media activity.
Mike Uva, a respected South Carolina personality with On3 Sports, sent off a chain of tweets surrounding the football program’s recent success on the trail. The Gamecocks just landed a commitment from five-star defender Dylan Stewart and have been in contention for a number of highly rated prospects.
Uva’s tweets complimented the culture that third-year coach Shane Beamer is building in Columbia.
That’s the scary thing. Shane Beamer and his staff have done a tremendous job of selling the program in an era where that’s not always gonna be enough to some. Knowing some of the plans @TheGarnetTrust has, if they raise the funds they hope to hit it could put USC over the top.
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) August 2, 2023
Uva tagged The Garnet Trust in one of those messages, saying that the potential to consistently land talent could continue to rise as the NIL collective increases incentives packages for student athletes.
The group then had an interesting response, which is now being chastised by college football fans.
“If money is the deciding factor for a player, chances are they aren’t the kind of athlete who will appreciate the culture our coaches are building,” the tweet read.
It sparked an immediate reaction on social media.
“South Carolina’s official NIL collective to give players money has some interesting thoughts on giving players money,” one account said.
In a (now deleted) tweet, South Carolina’s official NIL collective to give players money has some interesting thoughts on giving players money pic.twitter.com/E6nqQ5n6Ou
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) August 6, 2023
Many insinuated that Coach Beamer was likely unhappy to hear that response.
Beamer to collective pic.twitter.com/OJvxsVVZWc
— 𝔖𝔲𝔟𝔩𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝕂𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 (@Sublime_Knight) August 6, 2023
“I know a football coach who probably isn’t very happy with our NIL team,” this fan said.
They finally deleted the tweet.
I know a football coach who probably isn’t very happy with our NIL team…
— Evan (@Big_Eazzzzy) August 6, 2023
Big yikes for the Gamecocks.
Gamecock NIL Collective pic.twitter.com/5t2EoAnCL7
— Cole Wilson (@trumpetsrmoney) August 6, 2023
“Sometimes, it’s best to stay off the app,” one follower wrote about the NIL team’s tweet.
Do I believe that a certain tweet will hurt South Carolina in recruiting like some are thinking?
No.
Was it a flagrantly stupid tweet that is now allowing other fanbases to twist it’s meaning/incessantly poke fun at it?
Yes.
Sometimes, it’s best to stay off the app.
— Andrew Lyon (@ALyon_SC) August 6, 2023
That’s likely be the best advice for this particular scenario.