South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers Rises as Top SEC Freshman, Potential 2025 Breakout

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina's quarterback, is generating significant buzz ahead of the 2025 college football season, with CBS Sports analyst Josh Pate ranking him as the No. 3 quarterback in the SEC behind DJ Lagway and Arch Manning. Sellers earned SEC Freshman of the Year and National Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors after a standout 2024 season in which he completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also rushing for 674 yards and seven touchdowns. Analysts praise Sellers not only for his impressive physical attributes—standing 6'3" and 240 pounds with notable speed and strength—but also his poise, leadership, and improvisational skills, with draft analyst Todd McShay comparing him to a bigger, equally fast Jalen Hurts. Sellers is seen as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender and potential top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with his rare combination of athleticism and mental toughness making him a difficult challenge for defenses. Sports Grid also ranked Sellers as the seventh-best player nationally poised for a breakout season in 2025, highlighting his dynamic performances in big games and the potential for South Carolina to be a top-25 team. With the Gamecocks coming off a 9-3 season and a six-game winning streak, Sellers is central to South Carolina's aspirations to compete in the SEC and make their College Football Playoff debut in 2025.