South Carolina’s 2024 season kicked off with cautious optimism. But LaNorris Sellers quickly exploded onto the scene, catapulting the Gamecocks to a surprising 9-4 record. Suddenly, Shane Beamer isn’t just another face in the SEC crowd—he’s got a certified gunslinger under center. And it’s not just us saying it; JD PicKell went full believer: “If we were picking the playoff today, I’d put South Carolina in the dance. I would, because I feel that strongly about who LaNorris Sellers is now.” This quarterback phenom didn’t just tiptoe in; he burst through the door, leaving defenses dizzy and the fanbase buzzing with Heisman talk and NIL potential. So, what’s the secret sauce?
LaNorris Sellers might just be the most grounded player in college football right now, and Beamer had no hesitation in sharing his thoughts during the Welcome Home Tour stop in Greenville this past Thursday. “I think it’s just the way he was raised and the kind of person he is. Like, nothing bothers him. And he’s the same all the time—whether it be after we win a huge game or have a tough loss, or practice, or pregame, postgame, whatever it is—he’s just the same person. And he’s steady. And he’s got a great family around him,” Beamer said.
Beamer’s QB shows serious loyalty. Despite the potential for millions in the transfer portal, he chose to stay with the Gamecocks. Beamer even shared a telling story last week, highlighting his QB’s level-headedness. Sellers, after attending a Gamecock Club event in his hometown of Florence and securing his NIL earnings while showing love to the community, was texting Beamer the very next day to reach out to his academic advisor because he had missed a class and his professor wouldn’t excuse it.
“And that’s what I would say just makes him different is just, you know, his character and his humility—that he is always striving to be better and doesn’t let a lot of, you know, outside noise or external influences bother him. He is who he is and doesn’t let anything get to him,” Beamer added.
Sellers isn’t just lighting up the scoreboard; he’s becoming a true face of the program. He recently partnered with Collegiate Legends for a custom action figure, a unique NIL deal that captures his growing legacy. It’s more than just a business move. Sellers even donated some of the figures to local children, reinforcing his connection to the South Carolina community. And that connection runs deep…..
Sellers recently donated $16,000 to the football program during a fan meet-and-greet, a gesture that speaks volumes about his commitment. “I’m just really giving back to the school,” Sellers said. “Just for everything they’ve done for me, my brothers, all the other players, who went to colleges, the development, the relationships.” With stats like 2,534 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 674 rushing yards, and 7 rushing touchdowns, it’s no surprise he’s already being talked about as the SEC’s top quarterback.
Even The Next Round podcast crew can’t help but gush over his potential. “If you watch LaNorris Sellers, last year to me pure talent, he has got the most talent of any quarterback I’ve seen in the SEC,” said Lance Taylor. And Ryan Brown doubled down, adding, “But to be good at quarterback, you’ve got to have people around you, no doubt.” Just as everything seemed to be clicking for Shane Beamer’s South Carolina, another unexpected problem is throwing a wrench in the works.
Shane Beamer on Rahsul Faison’s NCAA move
While LaNorris Sellers is cementing his place in South Carolina’s future, another storyline is brewing in the backfield. Running back Rahsul Faison, a crucial transfer portal addition, is caught in NCAA limbo. The 6’0, 218-pound back rushed for 1,109 yards on 198 carries with 8 touchdowns at Utah State before transferring to South Carolina. But despite his impressive resume, Faison’s eligibility for the upcoming season is still up in the air. Beamer hasn’t hidden his frustration with the NCAA’s sluggish pace.
“No, it’s getting frustrating, to be completely frank,” Beamer said. “The fact the NCAA has had everything they needed from us since January and we don’t have an answer is, frankly, disappointing. We gave them everything they needed back in January. They asked for more, so we gave them what they needed. They asked for more; we gave them what they needed. We’ve been in contact with other schools he was at to get stuff from them that they needed.”
The stakes are high. South Carolina’s backfield has depth, with players like Oscar Adaway, Jawarn Howell, Matthew Fuller, and Bradley Dunn, but none of them bring the same explosiveness as Faison. To cut through the red tape, Faison has hired prominent NIL attorney Darren Heitner to press his case. Heitner, a University of Miami law professor who also represented South Carolina basketball player Myles Stute in a similar eligibility battle, is now pushing the NCAA to expedite Faison’s case. Heitner even made it official on social media, stating, “Rahsul Faison submitted his waiver request to the NCAA. I will be urging the NCAA to prioritize providing a decision on his request for an additional year of eligibility.”
Beamer emphasized that the decision to hire Heitner wasn’t something the program orchestrated. “Yeah, that was nothing that we directed him to do. That was nothing that we set up for him. That was—I saw it on social media like you all did, and I said, ‘Okay, that’s cool.’ But that was really cool, and I think that’s just kind of the next step,” Beamer said. “I understand the NCAA has a lot on their plate, but there are a lot of things in the balance here. And it’s something that we’ve been trying to get an answer on since January, and I think Rahsul felt like that was the next thing to do to try and maybe just fast-forward this thing along.”
With Sellers shining and Faison’s fate up in the air, it’s a make-or-break moment for Beamer’s squad. A green light for Faison? That offense could be next-level with his power game alongside Sellers’ dynamism. But an NCAA holdup? That could throw a major wrench in their plans. Gamecock fans are just waiting on pins and needles for the NCAA’s call before the season kicks off.
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