LaNorris Sellers was the highlight of the South Carolina Gamecocks last year, and he will be this year as well. The star QB has emerged as one of the best in CFB at the moment. In fact, experts are already placing him in the lineup of their 2026-27 mock drafts. Let the records show: Sellers will make a huge splash this season, as he did last year. Shane Beamer, too, is just as hopeful. Sellers is coming back after suffering leg injuries in 2024. A lot rides on him this year for the HC to do better than his 9-4 finish from last year.
Sellers had his breakthrough season last year, accumulating 2,274 yards, 17 TDs, and a completion percentage of 64.9%. Those are numbers you expect to see in a starting quarterback, and Sellers did more than just that. Whatever he achieved in that one year, it was enough for him to win the National Offensive Freshman of the Year Award. Now, he’s emerged as a leader in the team and also improved in his game.
Shane Beamer discussed his impact and growth with Greg McElroy in an episode of Always College Football. “I knew he would continue to get better as the year went on… He’s continued to get better since the season ended through January, February, and then March and April with spring practice.” Sellers did not play much in the spring game, considering he is still nursing his injury, which the staff is treading lightly about.
Beamer said that Sellers is settling into his newfound fame, especially after the heroics of the Clemson game. “If people didn’t already know about him, they knew about him nationally even more so after that game,” the HC said. Sellers made a crucial last-minute 20-yard touchdown that ultimately sealed the 17-14 win over the Tigers. “But I think he’s handled it really well. He’s a great young man, he’s got a great humility about himself. He’s very steady. Nothing bothers him,” Beamer added.
Sellers has his priorities straight. The HC mentioned that the QB wanted to know about summer practice so that he could fit in an internship, required for his major. He doesn’t quite make a fuss about the fame as well, which is the mark of a humble yet talented QB. Even though Sellers looks set as another great draft prospect from South Carolina, Beamer couldn’t help but address some huge flaws.
Shane Beamer addresses major flaw from the 2023 season
The Gamecocks HC noted a key area of improvement that first showed in 2023. “Coming off the 23 season, there was no doubt in our mind we needed to improve the pass rush,” he noted. That year, South Carolina’s pass rush allowed 19 sacks and lost 44 tackles, and ranked No. 15th nationally. “We knew it needed to be better in 24.” They did more than just better. Shane Beamer upgraded the entire defense to be one that is NFL-worthy
That happened with the additions of Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard. The latter proved to be significantly useful. “We knew he was going to be the SEC defensive player of the year… He came in and I give credit to him. He worked his b–t off and he embraced how we develop our players here,” Beamer said in praise of Kennard. The defensive star is now with the Chargers after tallying 28 tackles and 11.5 sacks, leading the SEC in these stats. He also managed to score the Bronko Nagurski Award, meant for the best defensive player in CFB.
That room will also ultimately be the decider for the Gamecocks’ defense this season. The three top prospects, TJ Sanders, Kennard, and Tonka Hemingway, are now in the NFL, which means Beamer will have to replace all these names to continue his production from this department. On the other hand, with a promising and set QB1 in LaNorris Sellers, is Shane Beamer slated to have a repeat of his 2025 draft successes next year too?
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