LaNorris Sellers burst onto the scene last season, and he looked like a star in the making. After a tough start, he led the Gamecocks on a six-game tear, racking up highlights like they were going out of style. Now, he’s the talk of the town, popping up on every preseason list, with 2025 expectations through the roof. You’d think, reading those previews, that he’s a guaranteed top quarterback, right? He landed seventh on CBS Sports’ list of the nation’s best signal-callers. That’s serious hype. You’d almost think, ‘Okay, South Carolina’s on the border, Sellers explodes, they’re playoff bound.’ But, as Josh Pate’s about to remind us, that’s not how the game works. It’s not a pre-written script. Just because Sellers shined last year doesn’t mean it’s a straight line to the top.
Josh Pate isn’t buying the easy narrative on LaNorris Sellers and South Carolina. In the March 9th episode of his College Football Show, he laid it out bluntly. “You know, LaNorris Sellers popped on the scene last year. South Carolina, right on the border of being a playoff team. So, I think the preview magazine culture would lead you to believe that LaNorris Sellers became a household name last year. South Carolina almost made the playoff. Now he’s back, they’ll take the next step—just kind of that the tumblers all fall into place. That’s not how sports work. It’s not how college football works. Not how life works,” Pate said.
So, Josh Pate’s message is clear and loud: Talent is there, but nothing is guaranteed. However, the buzz about LaNorris Sellers is legitimate, and the national media is finally acknowledging Shane Beamer’s long-held belief—Sellers possesses extraordinary talent. With 2,534 passing yards, 18 TDs, and seven more on the ground, his 2024 season was incredible. Moreover, he was named FWAA Freshman of the Year for that. But 2025? That could be his true breakout.
If Sellers matches or even slightly improves those numbers, he’ll be right in the thick of the Heisman race. And Pate put it best, saying, “So, I’ll grant you, Sellers is a special player, and I’ve got no problem believing in the energy and the buy-in and all that from South Carolina’s program.” But here comes South Carolina’s CFP fate….
The program has major issues that could put Shane Beamer’s 2025 national title dream on thin ice. And pointing out those concerns, Josh Pate said, “They return about 50% of their production on defense, so that’s the first thing I’d be watching around there this spring. And then the second thing is, is Nyck Harbor a legitimate wide receiver one in the SEC? And what kind of depth do they have beyond him at wide receiver?” Safe to say, these questions loom large as the Gamecocks look to take the next step.
Let’s talk about Nyck Harbor. His athleticism is off the charts, but his numbers? Not quite SEC caliber—yet. With just 12 catches for 195 yards and a single touchdown in 2024, the hype outweighs the production. And if he’s truly South Carolina’s WR1, he has to take a massive leap. But beyond him? That’s where things get murky. The Gamecocks need a reliable WR2, but right now, that role is up for grabs. Although South Carolina’s defense might not scream SEC dominance, Shane Beamer’s vision for QB LaNorris Sellers is crystal clear.
LaNorris Sellers leading Gamecocks’ surge
While South Carolina is knocking on the door of the top 10, a hot start could kick it wide open. And that would put LaNorris Sellers in elite company—the kind that gets a Heisman invite. Just a year ago, he was flying under the radar, but now, he’s the face of the program. “Here’s a guy that, last year at this time, nobody was really talking about. If you looked at some of those preseason rankings of quarterbacks, most of them I think had him 16th in the league going into last season. Now, it’s the complete opposite,” said Shane Beamer. To be honest, that’s the allure of CFB—a single season has the power to transform everything.
Now, LaNorris Sellers isn’t just a rising star—he’s on a collision course with national recognition. 247Sports’ Brad Crawford sees the vision, comparing Sellers’ skill set to past Heisman greats like Tim Tebow. Dual-threat ability, poise under pressure, and a playmaker’s instinct—he’s got it all. And the Gamecocks are ready to unleash it. “I think Shane and Mike Shula, Gamecocks’ new OC, are going to try to sort of work LaNorris Sellers into a lather, get him comfortable, a lot of rhythm, not necessarily have to run for 100 yards each game,” said Crawford.
So, the formula is simple—start hot, stay hot, and the Heisman hype will follow. And Sellers doesn’t just need big numbers; he needs to control the narrative. Here, Crawford highlighted how past winners like Tebow padded their stats, saying, “Maybe played them one or two more series in the fourth quarter than he should have, made sure those guys had four or five touchdowns.” Now, at least three passing touchdowns a game will put him right in the Heisman mix by October. We’ll see if he can keep that pace and make the hype real.
The post Josh Pate Announces LaNorris Sellers & South Carolina’s CFP Fate After Shane Beamer Clears Intentions on QB appeared first on EssentiallySports.
