The South Carolina Gamecocks self-reported and were charged with a Level III violation by the NCAA, per a recent report by The Post and Courier. This Level III violation is in relation to former football staffer Taylor Edwards.

Penalties will include a one-week ban on recruiting, a four-day reduction in recruiting days in Spring 2025, and a rules education to the football staff. With those penalties accepted, the matter is considered resolved.

Notably, no current South Carolina football staff member or coach was charged with any NCAA violation in this investigation.

Taylor Edwards had been the football program’s director of player personnel since 2021. One of his primary jobs was to act as the connecting point between the football program and The Garnet Trust, South Carolina’s NIL collective.

However, he left in July shortly after receiving a contract extension and an increase in salary. However, documents apparently show that an email in late June was sent to him, saying the program has committed “serious violations of NCAA legislation.” Therefore, his termination was justified.

Edwards also sent emails saying he would resign by August 1st, but he was no longer with the department before that time.

It was Edwards’ work with the South Carolina NIL collective where the NCAA violations occurred. South Carolina reported that a football staffer sent a recruiting notice to a four-year prospective student-athlete before receiving written notification of the student-athlete’s intention to enter the transfer portal. That was reported in September as a Level III violation.

“It was an isolated incident involving a player that isn’t even in the program anymore. And never was a contributor when he was here,” an unnamed source told The Post and Courier. “(Edwards) was immediately fired when they became aware.”

The NCAA defines a Level II violation as a “breach of conduct that is isolated or limited in nature, and provides a minimal advantage of benefit.”

The penalties were sent to South Carolina on October 10th, less than a month after reporting the violation. South Carolina accepted them to end the matter.

Now, the focus for South Carolina returns to the football field. There, the Gamecocks currently have a record of 5-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play. Their next game is going to be on Saturday, November 9th on the road against Vanderbilt. With a win there, the Gamecocks would become bowl-eligible for the third straight season.