Shane Beamer discusses LaNorris Sellers, young players in 2nd half of South Carolina spring game

Coming out of halftime in the South Carolina spring game, Shane Beamer inserted a number of young players into the contest. That included 2023 quarterback signee and mid-year enrollee LaNorris Sellers.

Speaking with SEC Network’s Roman Harper before the second half of the scrimmage, Beamer discusses the balance of calming nerves while cutting younger players loose. His message was simple: Have some fun.

“I just told him on the sideline: Just go out here and have fun. He won a state championship in high school. Not just him, but all of our young guys. When you’re looking at them out here, they don’t look like freshmen. And I hope under the lights here they don’t play like freshmen,” Beamer said.

Sellers, who played high school football at South Florence (S.C.) High School, was a four-star prospect in the 2023 signing class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the No. 353 overall prospect in the class.

After a first half in which the black team took it to the garnet squad, Beamer was hopeful to see some response. As the half was getting under, the score was changed to give the black team a two-score, 17-3 lead.

“You know, it looks like too many drops. We’ve had some critical drops on the garnet team. Luke [Doty], at quarterback, has been playing pretty good and giving our guys opportunities to make plays. Got a true freshman quarterback coming in here now. Let’s see what he can do with the offense. So, I’m excited. We’re going to have a bunch of young players playing this half. They made it a two-score game so let’s see what happens,” Beamer said.

As Beamer discussed young players under the lights, Harper asked him how it felt to be out under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time in months.

“Proud, grateful to be the head coach here, this is awesome. April 15 and look at this. So just blessed to be in the position I’m in. We’ve got the greatest fans in America and you guys are seeing it tonight,” Beamer said.

And as grateful as Beamer is, he was also excited to get going, as he shared ahead of the South Carolina spring game.

“I’m just excited to watch our guys compete. That’s one thing about this team, is they compete. We’ve got some really good young players and competitive juices are flowing. Should be a lot of fun,” Beamer said.