LaNorris Sellers announced as South Carolina starting quarterback
Let the LaNorris Sellers Era at South Carolina begin.
What was expected is now official as head coach Shane Beamer announced Tuesday that the redshirt freshman from Florence, S.C. will start the Gamecocks’ season-opener against Old Dominion.
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Sellers had been the heavy favorite to win the job and Beamer said after spring practice that the former South Florence High School standout would enter the summer as the “starter.”
But the fourth-year head coach was quick to add at the time that it didn’t yet mean Sellers had sewed up the starting quarterback role for the season. He wanted Sellers to continue to do all the necessary things required by QB1 for success and for him to continue to compete with transfer quarterback Robby Ashford.
Sellers did just that, earning the nod for his steady, consistent presence throughout the offseason — on top of his unbelievable upside as both a passer and runner.
With Sellers now entrenched as the starter, Ashford, who transferred in from Auburn in January, will enter the season as the backup.
Sellers replaces two-year starter Spencer Rattler, who is now with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
As a true freshman and Rattler’s backup last year, Sellers made three appearances while maintaining his redshirt status. The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder completed all four of his passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns while adding 51 yards and a score on the ground on five carries.
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A former four-star prospect by On3 out of high school, that doesn’t tell the full story of Sellers’ recruiting process.
On the verge of breaking out as a junior, Sellers’ season was cut short by a knee injury that seemed to limit his offers from major programs.
As a senior, Sellers led South Florence to a state championship, putting up video game numbers in the process.
He threw for just shy of 3,000 yards with 45 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions while rushing for over 1,300 yards and 17 more scores.
An early commitment to Syracuse, Sellers landed a late offer from South Carolina and flipped to the Gamecocks on Early Signing Day.
“Just never seen a kid that big run that well and throw the ball, not just a big arm, but accuracy,” South Florence head coach Drew Marlowe told GamecockCentral this offseason. “And doesn’t miss throws, like ever. So, you know, special, special player.”
