LaNorris Sellers’ Injury Clouds Missouri Game, But NFL Scouts Already Eye Him as 2026 QB1
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers entered Week 4 listed as questionable after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit against Vanderbilt, but the sophomore still suited up against No. 23 Missouri.
Sellers exited late in the first half and never returned, as the Gamecocks fell 31-7 on the road. Before leaving, he looked sharp, completing 6-of-7 passes for 94 yards and keeping South Carolina within striking distance.
Backup Luke Doty finished the game but struggled, accounting for just 184 total yards while turning the ball over three times. Head coach Shane Beamer admitted earlier in the week that there was optimism Sellers could play, but he acknowledged his quarterback’s status would ultimately be “a game-time decision.”
NFL Scouts Already Talking QB1
Beyond the short-term injury, Sellers has become a major talking point in NFL circles. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that an early-season survey of 25 scouts and executives identified Sellers as the frontrunner to be the first quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He received eight first-place votes, just ahead of LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (seven). Miami’s Carson Beck and Oklahoma’s John Mateer drew three votes apiece, while Penn State’s Drew Allar, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, and Texas star Arch Manning each picked up at least one.
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Sellers has the physical profile NFL teams covet. His dual-threat ability and mechanics have evaluators intrigued. One veteran scout told ESPN his “ability to scramble, make plays with his feet, and throw instinctively” makes him unique compared to his peers.
Others praised his toughness and intangibles—qualities that have already made him a leader in Columbia.
Comparisons in the 2026 QB Class
Nussmeier, the son of longtime NFL assistant Doug Nussmeier, is viewed as a polished passer with a strong football pedigree. Still, scouts believe Sellers’ upside could be higher if he sharpens his accuracy and decision-making.
Carson Beck and John Mateer remain firmly in the conversation, though neither has generated the same early hype. Meanwhile, Arch Manning’s struggles in 2025 have led some to believe he might delay his entry into the draft.
South Carolina’s Hopes Depend on His Health
For now, Sellers’ focus is less on draft boards and more on staying healthy. After a breakout campaign last season, where he threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for nearly 700, his presence under center could determine how far the Gamecocks go this fall.
