Shane Beamer Discusses SEC Meetings, Scheduling, NFL Draft Talent, and LaNorris Sellers’ Development

Shane Beamer Discusses SEC Scheduling, NFL Draft Prospects, and LaNorris Sellers’ Rise as South Carolina’s Quarterback in 2025

South Carolina’s head football coach, Shane Beamer, joined The Postgame Show on 107.5 The Game with Jay Philips and Elijah Campbell to provide insights into the Gamecocks’ offseason and offer a preview of the upcoming spring practices.

Insights from SEC Meetings in New Orleans

Beamer described the recent SEC head coaches’ meeting in New Orleans as productive, especially with the inclusion of athletic directors this year. Typically held in Birmingham, these meetings have been exclusive to coaches, but Commissioner Greg Sankey made a significant change by bringing in ADs, a move Beamer fully supported.

“We always meet in person in February, but it’s always been just head coaches in Birmingham,” Beamer shared. “Commissioner Sankey wanted to include athletic directors this year, and I’m glad he did. It was a great opportunity to hear their perspectives and for them to hear ours.”

The meetings covered key topics in college football, including:

• The transfer portal and its effect on roster management
• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and revenue sharing
• SEC scheduling, particularly the potential nine-game format
• College Football Playoff expansion and selection criteria
• Changes to the recruiting calendar
• Officiating concerns

Beamer stressed that it’s crucial for coaches and athletic directors to be aligned in decision-making moving forward.

The Heated Debate Over a Nine-Game SEC Schedule

One of the most debated topics at the meetings was the potential switch to a nine-game SEC schedule. Beamer noted that both coaches and ADs had strong opinions on the matter.

“That was the one discussion where both coaches and ADs had the most to say,” Beamer explained. “Some are in favor of it, and some aren’t. There are a lot of strong opinions.”

He raised concerns about the unevenness of the scheduling, particularly if some teams play nine SEC games and others do not.

“If we’re all playing nine conference games, plus two Power Four games, great—bring it on,” he said. “But if some teams aren’t, then that’s a competitive imbalance.”

As the future of the College Football Playoff remains in flux—whether it will remain at 12 teams or expand to 16—coaches and ADs want clarity before committing to additional conference games.

A Potential SEC vs. Big Ten Challenge?

Beamer also addressed the potential for an SEC vs. Big Ten challenge, a topic that has been gaining traction. Beamer personally inquired with Commissioner Sankey about the idea and was optimistic about the possibility.

“I think our fans would love it,” Beamer said. “Williams-Brice Stadium is an amazing environment no matter who we play, but fans want to see marquee matchups.”

While Beamer is supportive of the idea, he again emphasized the importance of fairness in scheduling, particularly regarding how strength of schedule could impact College Football Playoff selections.

“It clearly didn’t matter this year,” Beamer pointed out. “If it’s not going to factor into the playoff, we need to consider if this is the best move for our program.”

South Carolina’s NFL Draft Prospects

Beamer is proud of the Gamecocks’ strong presence at the upcoming NFL Combine, with 11 players invited and others expected to sign with NFL teams. The program has come a long way in terms of talent development.

“In past years, we went into draft weekend hoping to see guys picked late,” he reflected. “Now, we have first-round talent and a deep group of guys ready for the next level.”

He singled out players like Xavier Legette, a 2024 first-round pick, and Marcellas Dial, now with the New England Patriots. Beamer praised how these players, regardless of whether they came through high school or transferred in, have continued to support the program.

“To see guys like that come back and visit shows what this program means to them,” Beamer said. “We’re proud to have helped them chase their NFL dreams.”

2025 Gamecocks: New Leadership, Same Drive

Though the Gamecocks showed improvement in the 2024 season, Beamer made it clear that the team is not resting on its laurels.

“We did a lot of good things in 2024, but our mindset is to take it even further in 2025,” he said. “We’re working hard to make sure our guys understand the effort it took to get here.”

One key difference in 2025 will be leadership turnover. With a younger team this year, the focus is on identifying new leaders.

“Last year, we had an older team with established leaders,” Beamer explained. “This year, we have a lot of talent, but we’re young. It’s about finding the guys who will step up.”

He highlighted former leaders such as Debo Williams, Boogie Huntley, and D. Knight, noting that new voices must rise to the occasion in 2025.

LaNorris Sellers: South Carolina’s Rising Star

Arguably the most significant change for South Carolina in 2025 is the rise of LaNorris Sellers as the Gamecocks’ quarterback. Beamer emphasized how different things are compared to this time last year, when Sellers was barely on anyone’s radar.

“At this time last year, no one was really talking about him,” Beamer said. “Some preseason rankings had him 16th in the league. Now, it’s the complete opposite.”

Sellers’ national profile has grown tremendously, but Beamer praised his humility and work ethic despite the attention.

“He’s hungry, he’s driven, and he doesn’t let the attention go to his head,” Beamer noted. “His life has changed a lot in the last year, but he’s handling it the right way.”

Beamer also expressed excitement about Sellers’ relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Shula.

“They’ve been working really well together,” Beamer said. “Anytime you have a quarterback, you have a chance to be successful. We certainly have a quarterback in him.”

Final Thoughts

As South Carolina heads into the 2025 season, the program is navigating key changes and challenges, from conference realignment discussions to the rise of a new star at quarterback. Despite uncertainty over SEC scheduling and College Football Playoff criteria, Beamer is committed to ensuring the Gamecocks remain competitive across the board. With LaNorris Sellers leading the offense, South Carolina is primed to take the next step forward in the new season.