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South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer said he didn't know much about Neff Giwa but was blown away when he first saw the 6-foot-8, 295-pound Irish rugby player at the team's practice on March 19.
"You look over there on the sideline, you're like, 'Who the heck is that'?" Beamer said March 31 after South Carolina's 10th spring practice.
Giwa, a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite who has never played football, signed with the Gamecocks on March 29 after visiting South Carolina again on March 23.
He chose Beamer's program over Miami, Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, SMU and James Madison.
The Athletic reported on March 24 that South Carolina wanted to give Giwa a "huge NIL deal," so he would commit earlier and cancel his visit to Miami." Beamer said this wasn't true.
"We were trying to keep him from someone else because he sat in my office and he told me how much he loves this place, and he told me that from the first time he was here, how at home he felt," Beamer said. "... This wasn't just a 'Hey, we got a bunch of money left over. Let's just throw it all at the Irish soccer player.'"
Brandon Collier, the founder and CEO of PPI recruits, which is focused on international recruiting for football, helped Giwa visit South Carolina. He supported Beamer's statement, too.
"Neff turned down significantly more from other contenders to sign at South Carolina because of the time he had with Coach Beamer and Coach Klemm (OL coach Randy Clements), nothing about money was his reason for choosing the gamecocks…. If yall only knew this wasn’t even in the ball park of some others," Collier posted March 31 on X.
Beamer said another reason South Carolina pursued Giwa is because the Gamecocks wanted to sign five offensive linemen in the 2026 cycle. They only secured three: Darius Gray (four star), Zyon Guiles (four star) and Anthony Baxter (three star).
Beamer anticipates Giwa will arrive at South Carolina when summer school starts, which is May 26.
MORE: Why Shane Beamer was impressed by South Carolina football's offense in scrimmage
Beamer said Collier thought Giwa could be a tight end or defensive tackle when he first started training but figured offensive tackle would be his likeliest fit. Beamer agreed based on Giwa's body type and growth potential.
South Carolina also has a need at tackle with NC State transfer Jacarrius Peak out for the spring with an injury he sustained playing basketball in February and two-year starter Josiah Thompson likely out for the entire 2026 season because of an injury.
Beamer said Giwa could be used as a tight end, too, but will start on the offensive line.
"When you turn on the rugby tape, you look at it and say, 'Holy smokes,'" Beamer said, "Instead of carrying this rugby ball, let's just toss a football in his hands and let somebody try and tackle him. Once we get him here, we'll see, but that's the plan right now, and we'll see how the development goes over the summer."
Growing up, Giwa played for Cashel Rugby Club near his hometown of Tipperary, Ireland. He later represented Munster Rugby and was selected to the Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools squad for 2022.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina coach Shane Beamer explains signing rugby's Neff Giwa
Continue reading...
"You look over there on the sideline, you're like, 'Who the heck is that'?" Beamer said March 31 after South Carolina's 10th spring practice.
Giwa, a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite who has never played football, signed with the Gamecocks on March 29 after visiting South Carolina again on March 23.
He chose Beamer's program over Miami, Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, SMU and James Madison.
The Athletic reported on March 24 that South Carolina wanted to give Giwa a "huge NIL deal," so he would commit earlier and cancel his visit to Miami." Beamer said this wasn't true.
"We were trying to keep him from someone else because he sat in my office and he told me how much he loves this place, and he told me that from the first time he was here, how at home he felt," Beamer said. "... This wasn't just a 'Hey, we got a bunch of money left over. Let's just throw it all at the Irish soccer player.'"
Brandon Collier, the founder and CEO of PPI recruits, which is focused on international recruiting for football, helped Giwa visit South Carolina. He supported Beamer's statement, too.
"Neff turned down significantly more from other contenders to sign at South Carolina because of the time he had with Coach Beamer and Coach Klemm (OL coach Randy Clements), nothing about money was his reason for choosing the gamecocks…. If yall only knew this wasn’t even in the ball park of some others," Collier posted March 31 on X.
Beamer said another reason South Carolina pursued Giwa is because the Gamecocks wanted to sign five offensive linemen in the 2026 cycle. They only secured three: Darius Gray (four star), Zyon Guiles (four star) and Anthony Baxter (three star).
Beamer anticipates Giwa will arrive at South Carolina when summer school starts, which is May 26.
MORE: Why Shane Beamer was impressed by South Carolina football's offense in scrimmage
Why Neff Giwa will start at offensive lineman at South Carolina
Beamer said Collier thought Giwa could be a tight end or defensive tackle when he first started training but figured offensive tackle would be his likeliest fit. Beamer agreed based on Giwa's body type and growth potential.
South Carolina also has a need at tackle with NC State transfer Jacarrius Peak out for the spring with an injury he sustained playing basketball in February and two-year starter Josiah Thompson likely out for the entire 2026 season because of an injury.
Beamer said Giwa could be used as a tight end, too, but will start on the offensive line.
"When you turn on the rugby tape, you look at it and say, 'Holy smokes,'" Beamer said, "Instead of carrying this rugby ball, let's just toss a football in his hands and let somebody try and tackle him. Once we get him here, we'll see, but that's the plan right now, and we'll see how the development goes over the summer."
Growing up, Giwa played for Cashel Rugby Club near his hometown of Tipperary, Ireland. He later represented Munster Rugby and was selected to the Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools squad for 2022.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina coach Shane Beamer explains signing rugby's Neff Giwa
Continue reading...
