Everything LaNorris Sellers said at SEC Media Days on Monday

As a Heisman Trophy candidate and preseason All-American pick, South Carolina football starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers was an easy pick to accompany Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer to SEC Media Days, alongside defensive captain DQ Smith and expected defensive line starter Nick Barrett.

Here is everything Sellers had to say at the 2025 SEC Kickoff, with only some minor edits for clarity.

Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 for 7 days—lock in this special offer today!

On whether or not he took a turn flying South Carolina’s private plane on the way to Atlanta and if he has a future in acting after doing so many commercials, photo shoots, and other media opportunities this offseason.

“Nah, I didn’t fly.

“And no, no. I can’t act. I just do what they tell me, that’s really about it.”

On if South Carolina is equipped to handle the hype and expectations that surround the team

“I mean, it’s just football. We’ve still got to do what we’ve got to do. We know that as quick as a split, it could turn bad. So, we’ve just got to keep our heads down and work.”

On how his life has changed since becoming a star

Drastically. It’s just–going anywhere, people just recognize me and stuff. Going out in public in Columbia, even like in Charlotte or Georgia, different places like Florida, everybody recognizes me and knows me.

On what changed for him as he went from modest performances early last season to breakout games over his last seven starts

“I think it was just like a growth thing. I had to get used to [playing], get my feet wet a little bit, and get a feel. It was different and took some adjustment. But once I adjusted and got my feet wet, or whatever, I was good.”

On whether he prefers being an under-the-radar player or receiving the hype he has experienced this offseason, and how he handles the high expectations

“Yeah. I prefer just going out there and playing, not really worrying about expectations…I’ve been playing football all my life. I’ve had high expectations for myself and for my team, as well. I just take it in one year and out the other.”

On how new offensive coordinator Mike Shula has helped improve Sellers’ ability as a pocket passer

“Yeah, just some stuff he did in the NFL. He coached Eli Manning, and he coached Cam Newton. So, I’m just taking what he had for them and bringing it to me…Eli Manning was a pocket passer, so when we do that, we talk him. When we talk moving, we talk Cam.

“We do rapid fire, which is just like standing in one spot, throwing as fast as we can. We’re making sure we are hitching, not under ourselves but hitching up, forward, taking quick drops.”

On where he still wants to see improvement in his game

“Ball security. And then just anticipating more throws, having quicker feet and making quicker decisions, seeing the field better.”

On if Shula’s desire to improve Sellers’ pocket passing means that the OC wants him to run less and stay in the pocket more

“No, not really that. I just want to be able to do both on a more consistent basis, I would say. I can throw the ball, and I can run the ball…cleaning up footwork and making better throws from the pocket…if I know I can affect both (the running game and the passing game), that would be better. I’m working to perfect one more part of my game.”

On how playing in front of his home-state fans motivates him

“Playing in the home state, like you said, I grew up here and know a lot of people here, so just representing the home state means a lot to me, my family, and the team, as well.”

On whether or not being a more vocal leader this year has been a challenge, especially with trying to guide younger players

“I won’t say that it’s hard…but with young guys, I would say that it’s more challenging because I don’t know them that well. I just met some of them in January. So, going on month seven with them, I’m just learning them, getting to know them to build that relationship.”

On how he has changed from last year to this year, and if the coaches challenged him to be a better leader, or if he took that responsibility upon himself

“I’m just a little more confident. I can talk more with my teammates, stuff like that. I’m getting used to the system. I’m just out there having fun.

“[The coaches] pushed it on me more last year. This year, they’re more chill about it, and it’s something that I’ve taken on myself.”

On what type of quarterback teammate DQ Smith was in high school

“Well, DQ would call himself a Lamar Jackson-type quarterback. I wouldn’t necessarily say that because I’ve seen him throw, and it’s not really his thing.”

On how quickly his brother Jayden Sellers has climbed the ranks of his favorite targets at wide receiver

“He’s been my favorite receiver, no bias. Well, actually, a lot of bias. Growing up together, it has been great having that chemistry already built. He had to get used to things in spring ball, so things were a little slower for him, but he’s growing.”

What a Palmetto Bowl victory over Clemson was like around South Carolina

“[There are] just a lot of different people who have had a lot of different opinions. I’ve seen a lot of Carolina people who were super happy. I’ve seen some Clemson people who were mad, some who were surprised a little bit. You were really able to see how much it meant in the week after the game.”

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!