Shane Beamer updates quarterback battle at South Carolina

South Carolina is going to start a new quarterback this fall with their previous one off to the pros. We have an idea of where the Gamecocks are going next at the position but Shane Beamer sees ways for all of them to fit into the offense.

Beamer discussed his quarterback room during his press conference at SEC Media Days from Dallas on Monday. That started by looking back at Spencer Rattler who led them in both of Beamer’s years and was a fifth-round draft pick back in the spring.

“Yeah, obviously, we’ve got to replace an elite player in Spencer,” Beamer began. “I know he’s doing great things in New Orleans already and is going to have a long career in the NFL.”

Now, with Rattler with the Saints, South Carolina will turn to one of LaNorris Sellers or Robby Ashord. The battle could also include Luke Doty with him having experience in that role as well.

To this point, Sellers is expected to be the Gamecocks’ QB1. He’s at the very least is in the lead entering the fall next month. Still, the other two can add something with the talents and experiences they also have.

“We certainly are going to look different at the quarterback position with LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford both. You talk about guys that are 240-pound type guys that can run and are able to throw equally as well. So it brings a new dimension to our offense. Those guys have made each other better,” said Beamer. “Luke Doty, who’s here with me today? Luke has started games at quarterback back in 2020 before I was even hired as the head coach.”

“We’ve got experience in that room,” Beamer added. “We don’t have a ton of experience starting at South Carolina but Robby has got SEC experience, LaNorris played in some games last season.”

The most important thing, though, is that South Carolina is returning seven starters on offense and 16 total from the unit. That’s not to mention any of their additions to it from over this offseason as well. That cast will be able to be those that whoever the official starter is can lean on as they get their chance to play significant snaps in Columbia.

“We return a lot of players around those guys, which will help,” Beamer added.

“We’ve had obviously since January to kind of create what this offense is going to look like,” said Beamer. “We’ve got a lot of new faces as I eluded to a minute ago. It’s a young, but an extremely hungry and talented, group.”