LaNorris Sellers' best moments for South Carolina in 2024

South Carolina redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers took the college football world by storm during the 2024 season’s back half. Emerging as one of the most exciting playmakers in the sport, Sellers dominated the month of November as his Gamecocks put themselves into the College Football Playoff conversation.

Heading into his sophomore campaign, college football analysts all around the country are hyping up LaNorris Sellers. But what were his top moments in 2024? Let’s take a look at his best moment from each game with his top plays of the season highlighted.

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First start vs. Old Dominion

Anyone reading this might be tempted to exit the article now, so let me get this out of the way: no, Sellers did not play particularly well against Old Dominion in the season opener. However, the Gamecocks got the win, Sellers got his early-season jitters mostly out all in one game, and he scored his first touchdown of the season (a 3-yard, game-winning rush right after fellow freshman Dylan Stewart’s clutch forced fumble).

Dominant SEC road win vs. Kentucky

In what was a much more efficient effort throwing the ball, Sellers went 10/14 with a pair of touchdown tosses against the Kentucky Wildcats. South Carolina dominated the game, and outside of one ball that sailed high, Sellers was pretty good. He was better than he showed in week 1, and he hit Josh Simon for a touchdown on the best combination of play call, throw, and catch of the first two weeks.

75 yards and a cloud of dust vs. LSU

The LSU game couldn’t have been going much better for the Gamecocks…until it wasn’t. South Carolina was up 17-0 before LSU scored 10 quick points to make things close again. Then, No. 16 responded with a huge 75-yard touchdown run.

You can watch the play below.

Whether the jet motion was a simple fake or an actual read, we may never know, but Sellers pulled the ball out of Jared Brown’s belly and shot through the middle of the USC offensive line. He waited on a block from guard Kamaar Bell (52) and then handled the rest himself. The bespectacled QB made a nice cut to leave safety Sage Ryan (3) look silly and then left the rest of the Bayou Bengal defense in his rearview mirror.

Had Sellers not sprained his ankle at the end of the half, South Carolina likely wins this game. Still, it showed what Shane Beamer’s quarterback was capable of doing.

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Never quit vs. Ole Miss

Sellers didn’t play against Akron, but coming out of a bye week, he still was limited against Ole Miss. That, combined with how quickly the Rebels went ahead, would have made a lot of players throw in the towel. Not LaNorris Sellers. Despite his bum ankle, the score, and getting sacked six times, the Gamecock signal-caller kept fighting until the end. What happened on the field that day was something most of South Carolina’s team wanted to forget, but the fight and toughness from the team’s quarterback stuck with the offense as a turnaround was on the horizon.

Comeback vs. Alabama

What could have been? Had the Gamecocks not turned the ball over four times (including three lost fumbles), the team’s resurgence might have shown on the box score a week earlier. Even so, South Carolina played a very competitive game against Alabama. Down by as much as 14-0, Sellers and the Gamecocks roared back in this one. Trailing 27-19 late, Carolina needed a miracle and nearly got it. With under a minute left, Sellers hooked up with Nyck Harbor for a beautiful touchdown.

You can watch the play below.

In the biggest game moment of his college career, LaNorris Sellers was cool under pressure. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains dialed up a deep shot to the Gamecocks’ biggest receiver, and Sellers delivered a perfect ball. The pass traveled about 40 yards through the air and right on the money. Only Harbor could come down with the football, and after some good footwork on the back end, that’s exactly what happened.

Following the touchdown, a two-point conversion try failed. The game wasn’t over yet, however. A Kai Kroeger onside kick attempt was recovered, but the Gamecocks couldn’t score to complete the comeback. Had USC completed the comeback attempt, this play would have gone down in South Carolina history. Even so, the close call against ‘Bama helped spark what was to come next.

“A splattering in Norman” vs. Oklahoma

It was a day owned by the South Carolina defense, but Sellers played well against Oklahoma. He did not turn the ball over as he went 16-for-24 throwing the ball. Sellers accounted for all but 53 of the Gamecocks’ yards in this one and helped his defense never allow Oklahoma to sneak back into the game. To borrow a phrase from national analyst Josh Pate, it was “a splattering in Norman.”

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Laying the boom and setting the tone vs. Texas A&M

South Carolina got out to an early lead against Texas A&M, but the Aggies had some momentum after a Rocket Sanders fumble led to their second field goal in a row. Sellers, who had slid a little ahead of the line to gain twice already in the game, had another chance. This time, he lowered his shoulder, setting the tone for what would become a dominant Gamecock victory over a top-10 team.

You can watch the play below.

Sellers took the snap on 3rd-and-8 and dropped back to pass. However, there wasn’t anyone open, so he rolled to his right. As the Texas A&M coverage stayed tight, he decided to run. Standing between Sellers and a 1st down was defensive back BJ Mayes. Instead of sliding or running out of bounds, Sellers lowered his shoulders and blasted Mayes. The two players fell about four yards; Sellers went forward, Mayes went backward. The Gamecocks earned the 1st down, but more importantly, they set the tone.

The Gamecocks added a field goal on the drive, and though A&M tied things up before half, Carolina owned the second half, playing a much more physical brand of football. Fans stormed the field at Williams-Brice, but the team’s winning streak was far from over. Sellers earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors for his 350-yard, 3-touchdown, 0-turnover performance.

Crushing Cinderella’s glass slipper vs. Vanderbilt

South Carolina entered its game against Vanderbilt as a favorite, but it was the Commodores who were ranked in the top 25. The Gamecocks traveled to Nashville confident, and Sellers led his team to a comfortable victory. His best play came in the 1st half when Superman shed a Vanderbilt sack at the goal line before finding Jared Brown for a big gain.

You can watch the play below.

Seller’s protection wasn’t bad as he dropped back to pass, but it couldn’t hold up as he couldn’t find an open man downfield. As he retreated from the pressure, he ventured near the wrong goal line and was grabbed by big Khordae Sydnor. Just as he did multiple times against Texas A&M the week before, Sellers shook free. Then, he had the wherewithal to look downfield, finding Jared Brown (14) for a 51-yard gain.

Two plays later, Rocket Sanders hit paydirt, opening up a 14-0 lead. That would be all the offense needed as Carolina won 28-7 to spoil Vanderbilt’s strong start to the season. Sellers again earned SEC Freshman of the Week following another great showing.

“Freaking Superman” vs. Missouri

Shane Beamer’s team was dominating against Missouri, but the Tigers rebounded. Eventually, Mizzou took the lead in the 4th quarter. In what became a classic Mayor’s Cup finish, the Gamecocks had to come from behind twice to win. A Rocket Sanders’ catch-and-run on a shovel pass was the final blow, but it would have never happened without some LaNorris Sellers heroics on the drive before it. Down by one with about seven minutes left, Sellers had one of his best sack-avoidance plays of the season. Then, he found tight end Brady Hunt to convert the 3rd-and-10 and extend the drive.

You can watch the play below.

Sellers couldn’t find anyone open, and he rolled to his right. Unfortunately, that was right into the waiting arms of defensive end Johnny Walker. Somehow, someway, Sellers essentially squatted his way out of the sack. Then, he reversed field, threw across his body, and hit Brady Hunt (87) for a ridiculous conversion. During his call of the play, Gamecock play-by-play man Todd Ellis made a Superman reference, and head coach Shane Beamer later said another coach told him that Sellers was “freaking Superman” on that play.

South Carolina scored a touchdown later on the drive (Sellers found Michael Smith for the score). Then, after a Missouri answer, No. 16 drove the offense back down the field where Sanders finished the Tigers for good. Thanks to 398 yards and five touchdowns, Sellers earned multiple National Player of the Week honors.

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Handling business vs. Wofford

South Carolina should never lose to Wofford. In fact, the Gamecocks should never even play a competitive game against the Terriers. That’s why the fanbase was not happy with how the season’s penultimate regular season contest started. However, after Wofford took an early lead, Sellers and company went to work. The final tally saw USC win 56-12 as they tuned up a bit ahead of the season finale against the rival Clemson Tigers.

The LaNorris Sellers Show vs. Clemson

The 2024 Palmetto Bowl was a highly competitive affair, and LaNorris Sellers was a star all day. However, in what became a 17-14 victory for the Gamecocks, the redshirt freshman star saved his best play for last. With just over one minute remaining, he escaped a sack and outmaneuvered most of the Tigers’ defense on his way to the end zone for what would be a game-winning score.

You can watch the play below.

As he had done a few times earlier in the game, LaNorris Sellers escaped a good Clemson pass rush on this play. As he stepped up in the pocket, he knew he was running the football. He got to the second level before making another cut. He veered sharply to the left, right toward the South Carolina sideline. His angle made linebacker and would-be tackler Barrett Carter (0) turn his hips. That’s when Sellers knew he had him. He turned upfield and waltzed right into the Clemson end zone.

A Demetrius Knight interception officially sealed the rivalry win on the ensuing drive. Shane Beamer called his quarterback “the best player in the country” during postgame festivities. National pundits came out of the woodwork to agree with Beamer, as well. The 2025 LaNorris Sellers Heisman Trophy hype train had left the station.

Not a great day but still having a chance to win vs. Illinois

South Carolina played one of its worst overall games of the season (Ole Miss and Old Dominion not-withstanding) against Illinois in the Citrus Bowl. The offense wasn’t sharp, and the defense had trouble against the run. In the end, Illinois earned its fifth-ever 10-win season, something the Gamecocks also were pursuing going into the game. However, despite the game not being a good one for USC, LaNorris Sellers still nearly led his team to a last-minute victory. A 4th down pass in the end zone was a little low and behind tight end Josh Simon. Had Sellers and Simon connected on the play, Carolina likely wins anyway.

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