LaNorris Sellers Staying Put: South Carolina QB Set for 2026 Return Under New-Look Offense
One of the SEC’s most intriguing quarterbacks is coming back for another run. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina’s dynamic signal-caller, is finalizing plans to return to Columbia for the 2026 season, opting to bypass the NFL Draft and stay out of the transfer portal. That’s big news for a Gamecocks program looking to rebound - and it signals confidence in a revamped offensive direction.
Sellers entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations. He was a preseason Heisman contender, one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the country (reportedly around $1.8 million), and the face of a team hoping to take a leap in the SEC.
But the results didn’t match the hype. South Carolina stumbled to a 4-8 finish, managing just one win in conference play.
The numbers tell part of the story. Sellers completed 60% of his passes for 2,437 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
On the ground - where many expected him to be a bigger factor - he was limited to just 270 rushing yards. The flashes of elite play were there, but the consistency wasn’t, and much of that came down to the pieces around him.
Protection issues, a lack of playmakers, and a sputtering offensive scheme made life tough for the sophomore quarterback.
That offensive frustration boiled over early. Fans were calling for coordinator Mike Shula’s job as early as September.
Head coach Shane Beamer held off for a while, but by November, the change was made. And that decision may have been the key to keeping Sellers in Columbia.
Beamer made a splash with the hire of Kendal Briles as the new offensive coordinator - a move that’s drawn praise across the board. Briles brings a fast-paced, aggressive offensive style that’s put up big numbers at Arkansas and most recently at TCU. His track record of maximizing quarterback talent is well-documented, and it’s clear Sellers sees an opportunity to thrive under his guidance.
This decision to return also comes amid a relatively quiet quarterback transfer market. Sellers, once projected as high as the No. 2 overall pick in early 2026 mock drafts, still holds first-round potential. But after a step back in 2025, he’s betting on himself - and on Briles - to boost his stock with another year of development and production.
And let’s be clear: when he’s on, Sellers is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the college game. His combination of size, arm strength, and mobility makes him a nightmare for defenses. Now, with a new scheme tailored to his strengths, he has a real shot to remind everyone why he was so highly touted in the first place.
Kentucky, in particular, will be watching closely. The Wildcats head to Williams-Brice Stadium on October 3, and while they’ve won seven of the last eight in the series, South Carolina has taken the last four straight. Sellers has been efficient in those matchups, completing 75% of his passes (21-of-28) for 309 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in two starts against Kentucky.
For Will Stein, who’s stepping into his first year as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, that matchup looms large. If the Wildcats want to take a step forward in the SEC East, they’ll need to find a way to slow down one of the top quarterback prospects in the country - now armed with a new playcaller and a renewed sense of purpose.
LaNorris Sellers is back. And with Kendal Briles dialing up the offense, South Carolina might just be ready to turn the page.