Will LaNorris Sellers return in 2026? What USC’s QB and Shane Beamer said about it
South Carolina football lost to rival Clemson 28-14 on Saturday, ending the Gamecocks’ 2025 season with a 4-8 record.
After the game, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said he and his staff are already full speed ahead in working toward the 2026 season.
One big question for next season revolves around the future of quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The redshirt sophomore is believed to be considering a jump to the NFL — but he could also come back to South Carolina or opt to enter the transfer portal.
Beamer, speaking after the Clemson game, was directly asked if he expects Sellers to return to South Carolina next year. Sellers was asked about it as well, at least the third time the QB has had to answer a variation of the question in recent weeks.
“You’ve got to ask LaNorris,” Beamer said. “I’m focused on today’s game. I’m not going to dissect and give you an analysis of what the ‘26 roster is going to look like. But I do know this: There’s a lot of guys in that locker room that are hurt and don’t want to feel this feeling again and also understand how freaking close we are to being where we want to be. ...
“But there’s a very motivated group of guys in that locker room that are excited about what’s next. I do know that. And again, that’s a question for LaNorris.”
Sellers was 23 for 42 through the air for a career-high 381 yards against Clemson. He threw two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Asked Saturday about his future, Sellers said: “When the time comes to make the decision, I’ll make the decision. Whatever’s best for me.
“I’ve got a couple of exams next week. I’m focused on them right now. You have December to make a decision, January. Whatever’s best.”
Sellers might have been referencing the transfer portal window (Jan. 2-16) or the deadline for college players who are underclassmen to enter 2026 NFL Draft (Jan. 14).
Sellers finished the season with 2,437 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also recorded 270 rushing yards and five scores on the ground in 2025. Those numbers are down from the 2,534 passing yards and 18 touchdowns and 674 rushing yards and seven touchdowns Sellers racked up last year.
Though his stats slipped, Sellers doesn’t agree with the notion that he regressed as a player in 2025.
“I wouldn’t say regress,” Sellers said. “I think as the years go on, defenses get paid, too. So they’re not gonna let me do what I did to them the previous year. So they had a game plan for it. Just gotta be better.”
Beamer was also asked if he felt like Sellers regressed in 2025. His answer didn’t exactly say yes or no.
“Certainly I don’t think any of us played our best this season, when you finish with the record we just finished with,” Beamer said. “We had a lot of guys that did some really, reall good things this season. And a lot of plays and moments that we need to be better at. And that’s all of us. Me, every coach and staff member in here, and every player.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Sellers as the No. 4 QB in his most recent 2026 NFL draft Big Board rankings. The Ringer’s Todd McShay said earlier this month Sellers should stay in college rather than enter the NFL Draft. McShay said that if Sellers opts to stay in college, he would likely be pursed by other teams. McShay specifically mentioned Miami as a potential suitor for Sellers.
The closest hint Sellers has given to what his future holds came after South Carolina’s loss to Texas A&M this month. But even then, his answer didn’t give much.
“When the time comes to make those decisions, it’s just gonna be there,” Sellers said after the A&M game. “Everybody’s got decisions to make, but I plan on being here because I’m here right now.”
This story was originally published November 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM.
