LaNorris Sellers named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is continuing to collect national attention ahead of the 2025 season, earning a spot on the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, given annually to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback.
The recognition marks another step forward in Sellers’ rapid rise to prominence in Columbia, as he cements himself as the face of the Gamecocks offense. The award, which emphasizes leadership, character, academics, and on-field production, is a fitting nod to Sellers’ development both on and off the field.
Why Sellers is a favorite for the honor
Sellers enters the 2025 campaign as one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the SEC. After flashes of brilliance in limited action last season, he is now positioned as QB1 and has quickly become the centerpiece of Shane Beamer’s offense. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Sellers combines size, athleticism, and a strong arm—tools that not only make him a matchup nightmare for defenses but also a prototype for what the Golden Arm Award often celebrates.
Coaches and teammates have consistently praised Sellers’ poise and maturity. Despite his youth, he has shown command in the huddle and an ability to lead the offense with confidence. “He’s got all the tools you want in a quarterback, but what stands out is how much the players believe in him,” Beamer said earlier this summer.
Statistically, Sellers’ dual-threat ability adds another dimension. His mobility outside the pocket, paired with his accuracy in intermediate and deep throws, puts him in line for a breakout season. Analysts around the country have already tabbed him as one of the SEC’s rising stars, with several projecting he could push South Carolina into the upper tier of the conference standings.
The company he’s keeping
Being named to the Golden Arm Award Watch List places Sellers alongside some of the biggest names in college football. Past winners include legends such as Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Joe Burrow, and Caleb Williams—quarterbacks who not only dominated at the college level but went on to NFL stardom. Sellers’ inclusion suggests that evaluators see him in that same mold of high-ceiling talent.
What’s next
For Sellers, the recognition is only the beginning. To solidify his candidacy, he’ll need to produce consistently against a grueling SEC schedule. South Carolina will face some of the toughest defenses in the country, but if Sellers can guide the Gamecocks to key wins while putting up strong numbers, his case for the Golden Arm Award will grow stronger by the week.
Beyond statistics, the award committee looks at leadership and impact. Sellers’ story—staying home in South Carolina, emerging as a leader for his teammates, and embodying the qualities of toughness and perseverance—aligns with the award’s mission.
As the season draws closer, one thing is clear: LaNorris Sellers is no longer just the quarterback of the future—he’s the present, and perhaps the nation’s next big star under center.
