Post-spring predictions: How South Carolina’s QB depth chart will shake out
A disclaimer: This is a prediction. This may or may not be how the South Carolina depth chart will shake out.
Phew. OK. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, one more thing: This room looks different than it did even two weeks ago when South Carolina held its Garnet & Black Spring Game.
Since then, redshirt freshman QB Dante Reno — a former three-star prospect — entered the transfer portal, trimming the Gamecocks’ scholarship quarterbacks total to four.
Here’s how we predict they’ll be slotted when South Carolina begins its season on Aug. 31 in Atlanta against Virginia Tech.
1. LaNorris Sellers
Well, duh.
But it is wild to think that it was around this time a year ago that coach Shane Beamer had to come out and declare Sellers the starting quarterback coming out of spring ball. And, 12 months later, he’s a Palmetto Bowl hero and a Heisman contender.
With that, too, comes the outside expectation that 2025 will be Sellers final year in Columbia, that a solid season will put him in the mix to be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Heck, in its way-too-early mock draft, CBS Sports has Sellers going 6th overall to the Raiders.
All that is to say: Just as intriguing as Sellers’ development in 2025 is how the guys behind him look.
2. Luke Doty
This would have seemed impossible even a month ago.
Yes, Doty committed to South Carolina as a four-star quarterback, but that was almost seven years ago. Yes, Doty has started games for the Gamecocks, but none since 2021. And yes, Doty has gone through recent spring practices with the quarterbacks, but he usually moves to wide receiver as the season nears.
So it seemed far-fetched to think that Doty — in year six — would be be competing for a meaningful spot in the quarterback room.
Then came the spring game, Doty was really impressive. He played most of the game for the garnet squad, completing 10 of 12 passes, including a go-ahead touchdown to Malik Clark at the end of the half.
Doty did not grab your attention with Sellers-like elusiveness or a barrage of deep balls, but he operated the offense, completed passes, set up the Gamecocks’ playmakers and didn’t make mistakes.
“He brings a loud confidence to the team and kind of excited to see what the next step is for him,” Beamer said of Doty.
3. Cutter Woods
Aside from Doty, Woods was the star of the spring game.
The true freshman from Westside High School in Anderson had the highlight of the night, bombing a 51-yard pass to Vandrevius Jacobs on his first play. Then he finished off the drive with a dart to Brian Rowe Jr. and a short touchdown run.
It’s rare that a kid who’s been in college for less than four months runs an offense as smoothly as Woods did. He made quick decisions, great throws and seemed completely comfortable.
“Certain guys, when the lights come on, they just elevate their games,” Beamer said of Woods. “And that’s Cutter Woods. He’s a winner.”
In some ways, Woods looked like a great candidate to become South Carolina’s backup — and perhaps he will. But I’ll still give the edge to Doty because of his experience.
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4. Air Noland
This is not an indictment on Noland, but due to the fact that Doty and Woods looked so sharp.
Noland, a former four-star QB who transferred from Ohio State this winter, was seen as the backup favorite almost immediately. Beamer knew and was quick to let those prematurely anointing Noland that nothing was set in stone.
And, well, that’s still the case. Though Noland did not play horribly — he completed 9 of 16 passes for 67 yards and an interception — he did not look as confident as Doty or Woods’ running the offense and was occasionally late on throws.
Now, this is not the end all, be all. It is very possibly that Noland will make a jump by spring ball — after another few months learning and working within offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s offense.
After all, talent is not a question with Noland and it would not be a shock to think that talent eventually wins out. Whether it wins out in a few months and he’s the backup is still up in the air.
This story was originally published April 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
