LaNorris Sellers describes state of his relationship with Robby Ashford

Former Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford turned a few heads when he opted to remain in the SEC after jumping in the transfer portal this offseason. After two years at Auburn, Ashford will suit up and play for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2024.

At South Carolina, Ashford was in a battle with redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers to become the Gamecock’s new starting quarterback after last year’s starter Spencer Rattler took his talents to the NFL. So how does Ashford fit in and get along in the South Carolina quarterback room, and what is his relationship with Sellers, despite the battle for the starting quarterback position? According to the Gamecocks incumbent QB, it’s pretty good, and he is also a fan of Ashford.

“Robby is cool; I like Robby a lot. He’s an experienced guy. He’s taught me some stuff, just like I’ve taught him some stuff,” said Sellers. “He asks me stuff about the playbook all the time, like what I’m seeing, play-wise when he’s in. Then, when I’m out, I’m asking him, ‘Yo, what did you see? What could I have done better?’ He’s taking the system; he’s learning the system fast — just another experienced guy. I like Robby.”

Beamer names Sellers starting QB out of spring practice

The reason that the South Carolina starting quarterback battle is past tense is because head coach Shane Beamer has officially named Sellers the starting quarterback coming out of spring practice. The announcement was made on Monday night while the head coach was speaking on the Florence Welcome Home Tour.

While Sellers is the starter heading into the summer, Beamer isn’t ready to completely call the competition in the name of his redshirt freshman QB. He made sure to state that competition was still open across the roster, including for the quarterback. But for now, he plans on Sellers being the guy for South Carolina’s season opener against Old Dominion.

“I’ll tell you guys what I told LaNorris and all the quarterbacks coming out of spring practice. ‘Coming out of spring practice, LaNorris (Sellers) is our starting quarterback,’” Beamer said via On3’s Gamecock Central. “But, just like all of our positions, we’ll continue to compete at all positions.”

“So, I told Robby Ashford, the moment that I say that at a Gamecock Club event, the headline’s going to be, ‘Beamer names LaNorris Sellers starting quarterback.’ LaNorris is the starting quarterback coming out of spring, but like I told LaNorris and like I told Robby, Robby did a great job during spring practice along with our other quarterbacks. LaNorris did a great job and I expect LaNorris to continue to compete and earn that position as well.”