LaNorris Sellers takes on new expectations as South Carolina’s leader heading into the 2025 season

Live from the Gamecocks camp as we head into the 2025 season:

Coming into the 2024 season, there were whispers around the media world placing South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers at the bottom of SEC quarterback rankings. Fast forward one season, and Sellers has shifted from under-the-radar to an early Heisman contender for 2025.

The change in Sellers’ status is nothing short of remarkable. In his first year as the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks, the FWAA Freshman of the Year threw for 2,534 yards, with 18 touchdown passes and seven rushing touchdowns.

As South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer reflected on the transition, he emphasized how different things are now compared to last year. Speaking on 107.5 The Game, Beamer shared, “Here’s a guy that, last year at this time, nobody was really talking about. If you looked at some of those preseason rankings of quarterbacks, most of them I think had him 16th in the league going into last season. Now, it’s the complete opposite.”

Indeed, Sellers’ breakout moment came in the second half of the 2024 season. Early in the year, he struggled to pass for over 238 yards in a single game. But as the season progressed, Sellers topped that mark in all but one of the final six games. His performance against Texas A&M earned him the Davey O’Brien Co-Quarterback of the Week award, where he threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and added 106 rushing yards, including a touchdown.

It was his game-winning 16-yard rushing touchdown against Clemson that solidified his place in Gamecock history.

Looking ahead, Beamer sees nothing but potential in his quarterback. “I told them I’m excited because anytime you have a quarterback, you’ve got a chance to be successful. And we certainly have a quarterback in him. The great news is he’s just scratching the surface,” said Beamer.

The spotlight, however, hasn’t gone to Sellers’ head. According to Beamer, “The great news is he’s such a great young man. He’s got a great humility about himself. He’s hungry and driven to work and get better. His life has certainly changed in the last year just in regards to how recognizable he is and what he’s accomplished. He’s got a great family and support system around him, for sure.”

Sellers’ rise hasn’t just earned him national attention but also a significant leadership role. He became the first freshman in school history to be named a Rex Enright Team Captain. Beamer added, “He continued to get better as the season went on last year, and he’s just going to continue to get better throughout this offseason into 2025. Really fired up to see what’s next for LaNorris and how he continues to grow as a quarterback and football player.”

Sellers’ potential has led many to compare him to 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton, particularly with their shared physical gifts. Much of Sellers’ development can be traced to his connection with new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who coached Newton during his MVP season with the Carolina Panthers.

Beamer himself expressed confidence in the dynamic between Shula and Sellers: “Maybe there’s some things that we did back there with Cam that maybe we haven’t done in a while that might fit here with LaNorris,” Shula shared back in December.

Heading into 2025, the expectations are high for LaNorris Sellers, and it’s clear that the Gamecocks are gearing up for what could be a very exciting season ahead.