Connor Shaw weighs in on Kendal Briles hire, LaNorris Sellers outlook for 2026
Connor Shaw has a prediction: LaNorris Sellers and South Carolina football’s offense could be in for a big year under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
Shaw, the highly successful starting quarterback at South Carolina from 2011-13, was able to attend a couple spring practices to check out the Gamecocks’ new-look offense under Briles. Shaw liked what he saw.
Briles came from TCU and brought in to jumpstart South Carolina’s offense, which struggled to say the least last season. The Gamecocks ranked 15 out of 16 in the Southeastern Conference in total yards and scoring last season in finishing with a 4-8 record.
“I like Kendal’s system and LaNorris is confident, really comfortable with him and that relationship on and off the field,” Shaw said Wednesday at the Colonial Life Charity Classic Pro-Am at Woodcreek Club. “The whole offense seemed good. It is spring ball, and you can’t put a whole lot of stock into it. But just from a system standpoint, this year compared to last year, you can tell a lot of guys are confident.”
Sellers, in his final press conference of the spring, said he was much more confident as he was learning the offense and picking up on things from Briles.
Shaw and Sellers on Wednesday were paired with each other in the Pro-Am along with Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, former South Carolina baseball coach/athletic director Ray Tanner and Korn Ferry golfers Matthew NeSmith (South Carolina alum) and Ben Kohles.
Shaw and Sellers spent some of the time talking about a variety of things, including each other’s golf game. Shaw is an avid golfer, while Sellers is getting back to playing the game more often. He said he played a lot when he was younger but really got into it when he arrived at USC and played with Spencer Rattler.
Sellers has been taking lessons and will be hosting his own charity golf tournament next week.
But what about his own golf game?
“It is decent. It just depends on the day,” Sellers said. “Today has been fun. Connor is a good golfer and competitive. It is good to see his golf game and listen to him talk about his history with South Carolina football.”
Shaw liked what he saw from Sellers on the course. The Florence native drove it over the green on the 304-yard, par-4 No. 11 hole.
“Really cool to see LaNorris get the golf bug,” Shaw said. “When he gets things dialed in, he hits it a long way. It is fun playing with him. He is a big dude who can hit the ball hard.”
Shaw also is a big fan of Sellers’ game on the gridiron. He said Sellers has the size and the skillset that will translate in the NFL and his demeanor on and off the field is what an organization is looking for in a quarterback.
Shaw thinks Sellers will be able to bounce back this season and go on to a long and productive career in the NFL when he leaves South Carolina. Early mock drafts for the 2027 NFL Draft have Sellers going as high as No. 4 pick in the first round.
“I really appreciate the way he carries himself. It is what you want to see in the quarterback,” Shaw said. “He is smooth, calm through the chaos and guys rally around him. He is a great teammate and fierce competitor and has an elite skillset. I think a lot of people are excited to see what the team could do this year.”
