In one of the most talked-about NIL sagas of the 2025 offseason, reports have surfaced that the Miami Hurricanes made a stunning $5.5 million NIL offer to South Carolina quarterback Xavier Restrepo, hoping to land him as their next marquee QB and a potential successor to Georgia’s Carson Beck.
But despite the massive offer and pressure from multiple programs, South Carolina’s top talents are staying true to Columbia.
Restrepo, who already inked a $2.7 million NIL deal back in December 2024, has quickly become one of the most valuable and marketable QBs in the college football world. Miami’s $5.5M pitch was reportedly part of a larger plan to reload their offense with a national contender in mind.
But Restrepo has yet to respond publicly — and it’s another Gamecock quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, who spoke loud and clear.
“I have no plans beyond the University of South Carolina,” Sellers said during a post-practice interview.
“My heart is here. My focus is here. I’m building something in Columbia, and I’m not going anywhere.”
While NIL has given athletes more freedom and financial flexibility than ever before, it’s also tested the boundaries of loyalty and program identity. What we’re witnessing at South Carolina is rare — a core of talented young players choosing culture and commitment over quick cash.
Head Coach Shane Beamer praised his quarterbacks for their maturity and vision:
“These young men believe in this program. They’re not just here to get paid — they’re here to win, grow, and represent the Garnet and Black with pride.”
With Restrepo and Sellers locked in, South Carolina’s QB room is among the most stable and dangerous in the SEC East heading into 2025. Their refusal to cave to outside pressure is setting a new tone for the program — one built on resilience, not recruitment poaching.
The Hurricanes’ bold offer showcases the growing desperation and aggressiveness of major programs trying to buy their way back into relevance. While Miami has landed some impressive recruits, their failure to lure Restrepo highlights the fact that money isn’t everything — not anymore.