College Football Analyst Says LaNorris Sellers Could Lead South Carolina to the CFP

In 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks were on the cusp of making the College Football Playoff. They finished the season ranked 19th in the AP Poll and 15th in the CFP rankings. The standout performance of quarterback LaNorris Sellers was a key factor in their strong showing, and one analyst believes his future performances could help the Gamecocks secure a CFP spot.

On Friday’s episode of “Always College Football,” Greg McElroy spoke enthusiastically about the Gamecocks’ prospects with Sellers leading the charge. (Start at 1:18)

“Most of the reason why people are bullish on South Carolina is due to LaNorris Sellers. Now, LaNorris Sellers, if you can get an improved threat of the pass, he becomes a super dynamic, borderline unstoppable piece,” McElroy said.

He went on to add that despite a challenging schedule in 2025, McElroy could envision Sellers and South Carolina winning 10 games, a record that he believes would be enough to secure a postseason berth.

In 2024, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed for 675 yards and scored seven touchdowns on the ground—an impressive stat line, especially considering it was his freshman year. As he continues to develop, if he remains healthy and consistent, Sellers could emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

However, Sellers won’t be able to carry the team to the playoff on his own. The entire South Carolina squad will need to rise to the occasion, especially the defense, which struggled last season due to numerous departures.

A key player returning for the 2025 season is Dylan Stewart, a freshman standout in 2024. He recorded 23 tackles and 6.5 sacks last year and is expected to make significant strides, bolstering the Gamecocks’ defense as they aim for another strong season.

Still, South Carolina’s biggest hurdle in their pursuit of a 2025 playoff spot is their tough schedule. McElroy highlights the challenges, starting with their season opener against Virginia Tech, followed by an SEC matchup against Vanderbilt and a game against Missouri. If the Gamecocks can navigate these early tests, they’ll face an even more daunting challenge against LSU, led by Heisman Trophy contender Garrett Nussmeier.

The Gamecocks will then square off against Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Clemson—all likely playoff contenders. If South Carolina drops two or more of these games, their CFP aspirations would face a serious setback.

Nevertheless, McElroy is optimistic, stating that with Sellers at the helm, South Carolina has a shot at taking down LSU on the road and starting the season 7-0, which would keep their playoff hopes alive.