Shane Beamer finally made the announcement all of Gamecock Nation has been waiting for and named LaNorris Sellers QB1 for the Gamecocks.

Now, Beamer made a point that it remains an open competition leading up to week 1, but barring anything crazy, Sellers will take the field against Old Dominion on August 31st as the team’s starting QB. Expectations for Sellers are incredibly high and seem to only be growing. There is no doubt he is a special talent, but just how far can he take the Gamecocks in 2024?

LaNorris Sellers saw action in only 3 games a season ago and has yet to attempt a pass against an SEC opponent. Sellers went 4-4 with 2 TDs against Furman and a combined 3 carries for 45 yards and 1 TD against Vandy and Kentucky. He definitely showed what he is capable of and did not look like any moment from a season ago was too big.

Regardless of the opponent, for a freshman to come in and play unfazed with controlled emotions is highly impressive. Not to mention, Sellers is 6’3” and 245 lbs. There is no question that he is an SEC caliber quarterback.

That said, I think expectations for Sellers need to be realistic. While he is a promising and exciting prospect, he is very much a developing QB who will have highs and lows this coming season.

To say that South Carolina has a challenging schedule is an understatement. They get to ease into the season against Old Dominion but week 2 has them on the road against the Kentucky Wildcats. This will be Sellers’ first road game. While I don’t expect Kentucky to be one of the SEC’s best, they are always a physical team. Also, going on the road to face them this early in the season while several of USC’s questions may not yet be answered will be a challenge. From there, it does not get any easier as the Gamecocks will match up with LSU in week 3 followed by Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson. 

It will be unfair to throw him out there with the expectation of single handedly leading the Gamecocks to victories during their October and November gauntlet. Sellers will need help from those around him offensively and he will also need help from the defense and special teams. 

I think South Carolina has the talent and potential to have a solid offense led by Sellers, but with the amount of unknowns that currently exist on the offensive side of the ball, it is unfair to expect the offense to lead the way in every game next season. 

Take into consideration how much an experienced quarterback like Spencer Rattler struggled at times. There were certainly bright spots last season for him, but the games in which South Carolina gave up a lot to their opponent in terms of talent, the offense struggled. There were times that the only reason South Carolina had any offensive success in certain games was due to Rattler.

I think it is a disservice to Sellers and his growth to expect him to overcome the team’s offensive deficiencies in the way that Rattler was asked to and did. Sellers will need help, but I think South Carolina has the pieces around him to do just that.

A big part of taking the pressure off of any quarterback is running the football effectively. The addition of Rocket Sanders and Oscar Adaway will certainly help to bolster the running game and to offer support to Sellers. The offensive line looks to have gotten stronger with new faces and the young guys from a season ago gaining experience.

I think one of the most vital parts to the running game is Sellers’ ability to run. This element to the rushing attack has been lacking in Columbia for quite awhile and should allow Dowell Loggains to get creative. I believe this will play a crucial role in opening up the entire offense and go a long way in growing Sellers’ confidence.

Sellers has flashed his talent in a limited sample size last season and so far during the Spring. Talent is far from the issue for him. The lack of experience means he will have games where he has to learn the hard way how to be an effective SEC QB. I think it is during these games where Sellers will need help not just from those around him on offense, but from the defense and special teams as well. 

I am not going to attempt to predict actual statistics for Sellers this season, but I do expect him to lead the Gamecocks to a bowl game. There will be ups and downs for him this coming season, but I believe he will grow from each low and will get better each game.