Can LaNorris Sellers become the best QB in South Carolina history?
The State asked the question this summer: Who’s on the Mount Rushmore of South Carolina football players?
Three of the four seem obvious. Running back George Rogers, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe and defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney all have their numbers retired by South Carolina. All finished their career as program record holders. All were so dominant as Gamecocks that they became Top 10 picks in the NFL Draft.
And next to all of them was Connor Shaw. His number isn’t retired. He holds no major statistical records. He wasn’t even drafted. You could argue he wasn’t the most talented QB in USC history (that distinction probably goes to Spencer Rattler). He wasn’t responsible for the program’s biggest win (that’s Stephen Garcia). He didn’t even have the best statistical season (credit Dylan Thompson’s 2014 campaign).
But Shaw is almost unquestionably revered as the greatest quarterback in South Carolina history.
Why? Because he won games. Because he quarterbacked USC to 27 victories. Because was the offensive leader during the greatest run in Gamecocks history.
Which brings us to LaNorris Sellers and how he can supplant Shaw. It’s not about him throwing for 5,000 yards or running for 20 touchdowns or even hoisting the Heisman Trophy. It’s about South Carolina winning and Sellers leading the charge.
And not just winning eight or nine games. We’re talking historic winning, Shaw-type winning — 10, 11 victories, a playoff appearance at least.
Of course, that is assuming Sellers will be off to the NFL after this season — where many project him to be a top five selection. That is far from a guarantee and, obviously, another season in Columbia would not only give Sellers a shot at passing Shaw’s 27 wins, but more time to pull off all the winning it takes to be the greatest.
But let’s say it’s all riding on this season. Talent-wise, Sellers is as good — maybe better — than any quarterback to put on the garnet and black. He needs to develop as a passer — be more decisive, sharpen his footwork, etc. — but the sorcery he pulls off a dozen times a game can only be replicated by a handful of NFL guys.
The Gamecocks’ offensive line gave up 41 sacks last season, an atrocious number that probably should have been closer to 60. But a defensive linemen would barrel at Sellers, sometimes even snatch his jersey. He’d be halfway to the ground, head down, knees bent, seemingly bracing for a 300-pound man to land on him. Then that D-lineman would drop and Sellers would somehow be upright, zooming out into open field.
He’s like a fruit fly. You see him on your desk, raise up the swatter and Thwack! He has to be dead. Has to. Then you hear the buzzing.
His ability to extend plays with his legs, to turn should-be drive-killers into first downs, is uncanny. It kept South Carolina in who knows how many games last year, and it certainly led them to victory over Clemson.
There are already people — Shane Beamer included — who already believe Sellers in the best quarterback in the nation, and he might be. But to become the top quarterback in Gamecock history, it’s gonna take winning that South Carolina hasn’t seen since the days of Connor Shaw.
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
