When the phrase “loyalty to the South Carolina Gamecocks” is uttered in the Palmetto State in the coming weeks, months, years and decades, it should be attached to a picture of LaNorris Sellers.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Sellers is returning to South Carolina for his upcoming redshirt junior season. He is close to signing a lucrative NIL deal.
As a true freshman in 2023, Sellers appeared in only three games, completing 4-of-4 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He had 51 rushing yards and one TD on just five attempts.
In 2024 as a redshirt freshman, Sellers led South Carolina to a 9-4 record both straight up and against the spread. He connected on 196-of-299 throws (65.6%) for 2,534 yards with an 18/7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Sellers also produced 674 rushing yards, seven TDs and a 4.1 yards-per-carry average.
Sellers was named the SEC’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and was a third-team All-SEC selection.
Expectations were high in Columbia going into the 2025 campaign thanks to the return of the star QB. However, South Carolina’s offensive line was abysmal all season, leaving Sellers running for his life every Saturday.
The result was a dismal 4-8 SU record and a 6-6 ATS mark. The Gamecocks lost by double-digit margins five times and went 1-7 in SEC games. They blew a 30-3 halftime lead at Texas A&M in a 31-30 loss as 16.5-point road underdogs.
Sellers completed 178-of-293 passes (60.8%) for 2,437 yards with a 13/8 TD-INT ratio. He was limited to 270 rushing yards, five TDs and a mediocre 1.8 YPC average.
The reason for the poor rushing numbers? Sellers was sacked 42 times, the second-highest number nationally.
Despite the down season, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. still had Sellers as his third-ranked QB in the 2026 NFL Draft in his most recent update.
Nevertheless, Sellers is remaining loyal to Shane Beamer, who will enter next season on the hot seat. He’s fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula, replacing him with Kendal Briles, who has previously had OC gigs at Baylor, FAU, Houston, FSU, Arkansas and TCU.
Beamer is certainly off to a good start for next year with the hiring of Briles, who presumably was a big reason why Sellers passed on the NFL Draft or entering the portal and listening to other options. In addition to bringing in Briles, the Gamecocks also hired away TCU’s offensive line coach (Randy Clements).
Beamer’s next task is to hit the portal hard for veteran help on the offensive line.