A look at LaNorris Sellers' confusing, heroic South Carolina career before Clemson game, big decision

COLUMBIA — LaNorris Sellers is known for creating confusion, like he did against Clemson last year.

On third-and-16 with 1:38 left, the South Carolina football quarterback began what has since become his most heroic scramble to date. He dodged Clemson defenders left and right as Tigers fans slapped their freezing cold hands to their heads and let their blank faces tell the story.

Nobody could fully understand how Sellers kept escaping through tackles, as he did during the 2024 season with dynamic touchdowns like his game-winning 20-yard score.

As the rematch between South Carolina (4-7) and Clemson (6-5) approaches Nov. 29 (noon ET, SEC Network), Sellers is still causing confusion but this year at times it's been for different reasons.

"Yeah it'd mean a lot," Sellers said of beating Clemson twice. "In-state rival game ... (in) the fashion we beat them last year, just obviously want to do that again."

LaNorris Sellers' South Carolina football journey

Sellers, a dual-threat quarterback from Florence, South Carolina, helped the Gamecocks to a 9-3 record in 2024, the best in Shane Beamer's five seasons as coach.

He threw for 2,534 yards and ran for 674 as a redshirt freshman, creating plenty of anticipation for Year 2 as the starter.

But like everything else in South Carolina's 2025 season reality hasn't come close to expectations.

Sellers still has his staple elusiveness but has been ineffective at times.

Last year he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and had nearly 700 yards on 166 attempts, but this year, he's gained just 186 yards on 129 carries (1.4 ypc). In four games he has finished with negative rushing yardage.

He logged minus-28 rushing yards in a nine-point loss to Missouri, one year after he trucked his entire offense down the field for a game-winning touchdown against the Tigers.

He's taken 37 sacks, the second most in the nation, compared to 33 last year in one more game played. He's faced pressure on 42.4% of his dropbacks which is also among the most of any quarterback and has been sacked on 24.6% of his pressures, up from 19.1% last year, per Pro Football Focus.

LaNorris Sellers learning from third South Carolina play-caller

Beamer's attempt to preserve continuity ultimately backfired. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains took the Appalachian State head coaching job, which meant Sellers lost the play-caller who guided him to his 2024 breakout season. Beamer promoted Mike Shula to offensive coordinator but he was fired on Nov. 2.

South Carolina was 129th in total offense and one of nine teams averaging less than 300 total yards per game under Shula.

His firing brought in the third voice in less than two seasons for Sellers to gel with. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, a former NFL receiver and defensive back, has been the play-caller for the last two games.

"We spend a lot of time together," Sellers said of Furrey after South Carolina beat Coastal Carolina 51-7 on Nov. 22. "Lets me know what he sees because he's like a wide receiver, but he also played defense, so just knowing, from his point of view ... and asking my input on stuff like that."

The numbers the last two games tell a lot of the story.

In 10 games under Shula, Sellers threw eight touchdowns and ran for three. In two games with Furrey, Sellers threw four and ran in two. He rushed 177 yards in 10 games under Shula and 110 the last two games.

Sellers now has 2,056 passing yards on the season after back-to-back games with over 245.

Will LaNorris Sellers go to NFL Draft, stay at South Carolina or transfer?

Sellers can declare for the 2026 NFL draft but has two seasons of college eligibility remaining. Sellers said it's not time for that decision since the season isn't over yet.

His brother, freshman receiver Jayden Sellers, had four catches for 127 yards and his first receiving touchdown against Coastal Carolina. His 75-yard touchdown earned him a spot on the request list for post-game media.

Both brothers smiled and silence lingered slightly when Jayden was asked if he has any "brotherly advice" for LaNorris regarding the decision on his future.

"Nah," he said before the two broke out in mirroring chuckles and smiles.

The transfer portal's popularity means no move is too surprising and Sellers is considered an early round prospect by NFL draft experts. He could also decide to return to South Carolina and improve his skills.

What if Jayden could have it his way?

"Make sure we're playing together, that's really it," Jayden Sellers said.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: LaNorris Sellers' South Carolina career confusing, heroic at same time