With fall camp well underway in Columbia, Shane Beamer’s squad is beginning to take shape. The fourth-year head coach is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign which saw the Gamecocks finish with a 5-7 record. The departure of Spencer Rattler is not likely to make this already daunting task any easier, however, as replacing your starting quarterback of two years doesn’t normally lead to improved win totals. That being said, the Gamecocks believe they have a redshirt freshman who just might buck this trend. They also have an SEC veteran ready to step up should he falter. In this South Carolina Gamecocks position preview, we’re diving into the quarterback room to see who the next big star on campus could be, and who will be waiting to take his job should he fall short of the lofty expectations set for him.
South Carolina Gamecocks Position Previews: Quarterback
Replacing Spencer Rattler
Before we talk about the new kid on the block, it is important to understand who he is replacing. Following a rather unceremonious departure from Oklahoma, many assumed we had seen the last of Rattler. The former five-star recruit and Heisman hopeful entered the transfer portal following a disappointing 2021 campaign, and that would have probably been it if not for Beamer. The second-year head coach convinced Rattler to transfer to South Carolina, and with two years of eligibility remaining the veteran quarterback made the most of his second chance.
While Rattler never reached his 2020 level of play, he provided stability and leadership to a young team in desperate need of both. Over his two seasons in Columbia, Rattler threw for 6,212 yards, and 37 touchdowns. He also scored 7 TDs with his legs and tallied a respectable 67% completion rate. In addition, Rattler led the Gamecocks in two massive upsets during the 2022 season. Carolina knocked off #5 ranked Tennessee, and #8 ranked Clemson in back-to-back weeks.
The Gamecocks took a step back in 2023, but Rattler improved in every major category as a passer. This led to him being selected in 5th round of this year’s NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. While Rattler’s numbers never jumped off the stat sheet at Carolina, he provided Shane Beamer with a reliable option under center he knew he could trust. Now Beamer will have to put his faith in a first-year starter who has taken a total of 5 college snaps. If potential is any indicator of future success, however, the Gamecocks will be in good hands with the next man up.
Introducing LaNorris Sellers
LaNorris Sellers is a name that just about everybody in the Palmetto State has long been familiar with. The redshirt freshman was the subject of enormous hype before he ever set foot on campus. Sellers became a local legend when he led South Florence to a class 4A state title his senior year. He racked up over 4,200 total yards and 62 touchdowns that season, which led to him being named a finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football. He also saw his recruiting stock sore, as the 247Sports composite ranked him the 17th best quarterback recruit in the country.
Beamer named the 6′-3″ 240-pound dual-threat quarterback as the starter following South Carolina’s Spring game back in May. In the annual scrimmage, Sellers threw for 70 yards while completing 9 of his 11 passes. He also accounted for 38 yards rushing and capped it all off with a 13-yard TD run. This performance was good enough to lead the Garnett Team to a 17-0 victory and also secured Sellers spring game offensive MVP honors.
While the talent Sellers possesses is enormous, he’s about to be thrown directly into the crucible that is SEC football. South Carolina faces Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oklahoma all within the first seven weeks of competition. Sellers will have to come in and play winning football right away in order for Carolina to have any chance at all. this season. If he is unable to do so, he may see the door left wide open for a veteran SEC transfer to swoop in and take his starting spot.
Who are the backups?
The rest of the Gamecock QB room is headed up by two transfer portal additions. Former Auburn Tiger Robby Ashford transferred in before Spring practice. Although he saw limited action in 2023 for the Tigers, he started several games in 2022. In total, Ashford threw for 1,758 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions, and completed 49.5% of his passes during his two-year stint on the plains. While his stat line is certainly doesn’t pop, Ashford brings SEC starting experience to a roster that has none. This alone makes him a valuable asset to the Gamecocks.
The presumptive third-string option is graduate transfer Davis Beville. Beville spent the previous two seasons at Oklahoma as a backup and spent two years at Pitt before that. It is clear that the veteran was brought on for depth, he has thrown just 62 total passes. While he probably won’t see much action this season, Beville brings another veteran presence to the locker room.
Final Rundown
There is no question as to who currently has the reigns in Columbia. Sellers has all the talent necessary to become the game-breaking quarterback the Gamecocks have long been searching for. His lack of experience however does represent a real concern for Beamer’s staff. We seldom see freshman quarterbacks enter SEC play for the first time without dealing with a steep learning curve. Should Sellers falter, Robby Ashford offers an experienced playcaller to fall back on. If the Sellers hype is legit, however, then we are in for an explosive season of Gamecocks football.
