LaNorris Sellers is getting another fresh start at South Carolina, and this one comes with a different kind of buzz.
Kendal Briles is now in charge of the Gamecocks’ offense after Mike Shula’s stint ended after only nine games, giving Sellers a third offensive coordinator in as many years. That kind of turnover is hardly ideal for a starting quarterback, but South Carolina is hoping Briles can tap back into the version of Sellers that flashed in 2024 - and maybe even coax more out of him.
The biggest key is getting Sellers back to being a dangerous runner. In 2025, he wasn’t nearly as effective on the ground as he had been the season before, and that dropoff mattered. If Briles can unlock that part of his game again, Sellers becomes a much tougher problem for defenses to solve.
One SEC defensive coordinator who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg put it bluntly: “He really struggles to process in the middle of a game,” an anonymous defensive coordinator in the SEC told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “When you move him around or you move things around on him, he just really struggles.
But I think Kendal’s system, if Kendal can be like, ‘Hey, you do this or you do this or take off running,’ if he can get him to do that, I think the kid could be scary. He’s so hard to bring down.”
That kind of assessment has to sound encouraging to South Carolina fans, especially after the rough ride they just endured in 2025.
The Gamecocks followed a 9-4 season in 2024 with a sharp drop to 4-8 overall and 1-7 in SEC play. The offense never found its footing, finishing second-to-last in the conference in total yards, third-from-last in rushing yards, and averaging just 22.7 points per game, which was the second-worst mark in the league.
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South Carolinas Early Read On Neff Giwa Could Surprise Gamecocks Fans
Neff Giwas arrival in South Carolina football has already added a different kind of intrigue to the preseason mix. A former rugby player from Ireland, Giwa is working through his early practices with the Gamecocks and drawing notice for the athletic traits that helped get him here, while teammate Nolan Hay has been helping him learn the basics of the game as he settles into a new sport and a new system.
For a roster looking to find useful pieces wherever they can, Giwas development is worth watching even if his path is still in the early stages. Shane Beamer has pointed to his potential value, and the most immediate opening may come away from the offensive line rather than in a starting role, which makes the next few weeks a test of how quickly he can translate raw ability into something South Carolina can actually use. [Read more 🡒]
Gamecocks Defense Is Setting A Tone Fans Will Want To See
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Offensive lineman Nolan Hay and tight ends Maurice Brown and Brady Hunt have each pointed to several defensive teammates who have stood out for their play and intensity. For a Gamecocks roster still sorting itself out in camp, that kind of internal pressure can be a good sign, especially if the defense keeps forcing the offense to match its level once the action moves into a more game-like setting. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina May Have An Under The Radar Answer At Safety
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What makes Bucey worth watching now is how much more there appears to be on the table for him. His responsibilities have grown on both defense and special teams, and that broader workload suggests South Carolina sees a player ready for more than the niche role he has filled so far. With camp still sorting out the back end of the defense, Bucey has positioned himself as a legitimate option in the mix, and the coming weeks will show just how far that climb can go. [Read more 🡒]