VIDEO: Checking in with Corey Rucker in Garnet Trust Exclusive
In the latest in Gamecock Central‘s series of exclusive interviews — presented by Garnet Trust — South Carolina football wide receiver Corey Rucker sits down with GC to discuss a variety of topics.
Rucker, who started his career at Arkansas State but transferred to South Carolina in late May, was projected to be a major part of the Gamecocks’ receiving corps but saw his season hampered and ultimately cut short by a foot injury that ended up requiring surgery
In the interview, which was released last week to Garnet Trust members, Rucker gives an update on his recovery, talks about what it’s been like to deal with an injury for the first time in his career, and discusses his overall experience at South Carolina so far.
Check out the video below and, as always, fans can support South Carolina student-athletes via NIL deals like this one by joining the Garnet Trust.
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Garnet Trust completes over 100 deals with Gamecock athletes
Over 100 South Carolina Gamecocks student-athletes have signed NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals with Garnet Trust, according to a statement released by the organization earlier this year.
“In less than one year Garnet Trust has created NIL deals for over 100 student-athletes,” said Jeremy Smith, who directs operations for the company. “These deals have creating a wealth of unique content and connections between Gamecock fans and Gamecock athletes. We still have a long way to go, but are very excited about where we are and where we are going”.
Originally launched in November 2021, Garnet Trust has in the past signed multiple Gamecock football players to long-term content and endorsement agreements, such as Spencer Rattler and Jaheim Bell. South Carolina baseball pitcher James Hicks recently inked a multi-month agreement as well.
Back in April, the company launched Connect, a program offering all current Gamecock student-athletes a name, image, and likeness deal. Components of the deal include compensation for licensing of athletes’ NIL for profiles, social media posts, and commissions on referrals for new Garnet Trust members.
Several South Carolina Gamecock athletes such as GG Jackson, MarShawn Lloyd, Dakereon Joyner, and Jovaughn Gwyn appeared at the Gamecock Central Preseason Kickoff Party earlier this year.
Other notable Gamecock athletes to have completed deals with Garnet Trust in the past include Catherine Barry from women’s soccer, women’s basketball’s Raven Johnson and Olivia Thompson, baseball pitcher Will Sanders, tennis star Sarah Hamner, and a host of players from the football team.
South Carolina fans that join Garnet Trust gain access to different perks based on individual member level, including exclusive athlete experiences and content.
The organization has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Sports Business Journal, and FiveThirtyEight.
Here is more on this South Carolina NIL collective, according to the organization’s website:
Garnet Trust was launched in November 2021 with one mission in mind: to connect South Carolina fans with their favorite athletes like never before. Through Garnet Trust’s usage of legal and compliant name, image, and likeness deals, fans gain access to unique experiences while athletes in Columbia are able to capitalize on the NIL era in ways that actually build their brands. Deals have included content offerings, social media promotions, in-person and virtual events, and charitable causes.
Garnet Trust also bridges the gap between brands and Carolina athletes, using industry media knowledge to unlock highly-engaged audiences for the businesses while allowing athletes to make the most of NIL opportunities.
