Coming into the 2024 season, LaNorris Sellers was widely overlooked, with many preseason rankings placing him at the bottom of SEC starting quarterbacks. Fast forward a year, and the South Carolina quarterback has emerged as a legitimate 2025 Heisman Trophy contender.
Sellers’ Breakout 2024 Season
In his first full year as a starter, Sellers showcased his immense potential, earning FWAA Freshman of the Year honors. He threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding seven more scores on the ground.
It’s a remarkable turnaround from where he stood a year ago, something head coach Shane Beamer reflected on during an interview with 107.5 The Game.
“Here’s a guy that, last year at this time, nobody was really talking about,” Beamer said. “Most preseason rankings had him 16th in the SEC. Now, it’s the complete opposite.”
Sellers’ transformation became evident in the second half of the 2024 season. After failing to eclipse 238 passing yards in his first six games, he exceeded that mark in five of his final six games.
His standout performance came in the upset win over Texas A&M, where he was named Davey O’Brien Co-Quarterback of the Week. That night, Sellers threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and rushed for 106 yards with a score.
He also etched his name into Gamecock history with a 16-yard game-winning touchdown run against Clemson—a moment fans won’t forget.
Beamer: ‘We Certainly Have a Quarterback’
While Sellers has already made history, it’s his potential that has Beamer most excited about South Carolina’s future.
“Anytime you have a quarterback, you’ve got a chance to be successful,” Beamer said. “And we certainly have a quarterback in him. The great news is he’s just scratching the surface.”
Despite the newfound attention, Sellers remains humble and focused.
“He’s got great humility,” Beamer said. “He’s hungry, driven, and determined to improve. His life has changed so much in a year, but he’s handling it the right way.”
His leadership has also earned him recognition within the South Carolina program, as Sellers became the first freshman in school history to be named a Rex Enright team captain.
“He kept improving as the season went on, and he’s only going to get better heading into 2025,” Beamer added. “I’m fired up to see what’s next for LaNorris.”
A Cam Newton Comparison & The Shula Connection
Sellers’ skill set and physical presence have drawn comparisons to 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton. That comparison is even more fitting given that South Carolina’s new offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, coached Newton during his NFL MVP season with the Carolina Panthers.
After the departure of Dowell Loggains to App State, Shula was promoted to OC, and Beamer is thrilled with the connection forming between him and Sellers.
“Maybe there are things we did back then with Cam that we haven’t used in a while,” Shula said in December. “Those concepts might fit here with LaNorris.”
With Sellers leading the offense and Shula guiding him, South Carolina’s 2025 season is shaping up to be one to watch.
