South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers picks up multiple top-5 pick projections for 2026 NFL Draft
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is picking up a lot of hype ahead of the 2025 season. Relatedly, he’s earned a lot of hype ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. This week, multiple outlets included the Gamecock QB in their top-5 picks for next year’s draft.
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ESPN’s Jordan Reid released his first ’26 mock on Thursday. The draft guru projected Sellers to come off the board at No. 4 overall to the New York Jets. Justin Fields is the expected starter for the Jets this fall. If things go as badly as would be necessary to earn the fourth pick, that experiment likely didn’t go well. Sellers is a similar style player to Fields, meaning the team’s offensive scheme wouldn’t have to change much. In his article, Reid compared Sellers to Donovan McNabb and said that a “meteoric rise” is possible if he improves his pocket awareness and ball security (fumbles).
The Ringer’s Todd McShay also predicted Sellers at No. 4. However, the former ESPN draft expert believes the Los Angeles Rams could trade up (with the Tennessee Titans in this hypothetical) to snag their quarterback of the future. Potential Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford is nearing retirement, so 2026 could be the draft that LA looks to find his heir. McShay also shares Reid’s sentiments on Sellers’ potential for a big season at South Carolina. On his “The McShay Show,” he calls USC’s QB1 a player he is “keeping his eye on.” He also said that Sellers’ “best tape is better than everybody else’s [tape].”
McShay included South Carolina receiver Nyck Harbor in his projected 2026 first round, too. He listed the rising junior pass-catcher as his No. 11 overall pick. Ironically, that pick stems from his proposed trade that netted the Rams the fourth pick and, thus, LaNorris Sellers.
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Heading into his second year as a starter, Sellers is a Heisman Trophy favorite and the top offensive player on a team with College Football Playoff hopes. If he plays up to his seemingly unlimited potential, both his individual goals and South Carolina’s team goals become much more attainable.
If Sellers has the season Gamecock fans are hoping he will have, his receivers (including Harbor) will be direct beneficiaries of that success. This offseason, word from inside the program has been positive regarding Sellers’ relationships with his pass-catchers.
South Carolina will open the 2025 season against Virginia Tech in the 2025 Aflac Kickoff. The Gamecocks and Hokies will do battle in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31st.
