LaNorris Sellers Scouting Report: South Carolina QB | 2026 NFL Draft Prospect
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Player Overview
Name: LaNorris Sellers
Position: Quarterback
School: University of South Carolina
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 242 lbs
Class: Redshirt Sophomore (2025 season)
Hometown: Florence, SC
High School: South Florence High School
Draft Projection: Potential Early 1st to 2nd round pick in 2026 NFL Draft; some analysts project top-5 potential. QB2-4
• PFF: 1st round, Top 15, QB3 (May 2025)
• Pro Football Network: 1st round, Top 10, QB2 (Apr 2025)
• NFL.com: 1st–2nd round, QB4 (Jan 2025)
• ESPN: 1st round, Top 20, QB3–4 (Jan 2025)
• CBS Sports: 1st round, Top 15, QB3 (Mar 2025)
• The 33rd Team: 1st round, Top 10, QB2–3 (Mar 2025)
Combine Data/Unofficial Times: No official NFL Combine data available (as of June 1, 2025). Estimated 40-yard dash time of ~4.4–4.6 seconds based on high school athleticism and posts found on X suggesting “rare speed” and “high 4.4-range” (source: NFL Draft Buzz). High school performance included 2,948 passing yards and 1,338 rushing yards as a senior, indicating elite dual-threat potential.
Career Background
LaNorris Sellers, a native of South Florence, South Carolina, committed to the Gamecocks and quickly emerged as a promising talent. After redshirting in 2023 behind Spencer Rattler, Sellers seized the starting role in 2024, leading South Carolina to a 9-4 record with notable wins over Texas A&M and a dramatic victory over Clemson, sealed by a game-winning scramble. His 2024 season showcased his dual-threat ability, drawing national attention and earning him South Carolina’s Male Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Athletics Gala. With three years of eligibility remaining, Sellers’ decision to stay at South Carolina for 2025 positions him to build on his breakout year and solidify his NFL Draft stock.
Career Stats (Through 2024 Season)
• 2022 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not start, limited action (stats unavailable in PFF data)
• 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Backup): Limited snaps, no significant stats recorded
• 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Starter): 195/301 (64.8%), 2,520 yards, 19 TDs, 19 TWP, 4.6% TWP rate, 674 rushing yards, 7 TDs (PFF 2024 QB Stats)
• Career Totals (2 Seasons): 195/301 (64.8%), 2,520 yards, 19 TDs, 19 TWP, 674 rushing yards, 7 TDs
Advanced Stats (2024):
• PFF Passing Grade: 70.6
• PFF Rushing Grade: 73.8
• QBR: 101.2 (reflecting strong performance metrics)
• Total Offense: 3,194 yards, 26 total TDs, 19 TWP
Awards and Accolades
• High School:
• Shrine Bowl MVP (2022)
• Led South Florence to a state championship (2022)
• College:
• South Carolina Male Athlete of the Year (2025)
• Key contributor to 2024 upset win over Clemson
Character and Leadership
Sellers is praised for his work ethic and leadership, with South Carolina coach Shane Beamer noting his early recognition as a talent. His resilience shone through in 2024, improving as the season progressed despite a high turnover-worthy play rate (4.7%, second-highest among QBs per PFF). Teammates and coaches highlight his ability to handle physicality and inspire, with no reported character concerns. His decision to stay home and develop at South Carolina reflects maturity, and off-field, he enjoys fishing, aligning with his small-town roots.
Injuries
Sellers missed his junior year of high school (2021) due to a broken arm but has shown no significant injury history at South Carolina. His 242-pound frame suggests durability, though his high sack avoidance (19.1% pressure-to-sack rate) indicates he minimizes contact, a trait to monitor against NFL defenses.
Play Style
Sellers is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, thriving in South Carolina’s spread-option offense. He excels at extending plays with his legs, boasting a 75-yard touchdown run against LSU (school record), and delivers powerful throws with a strong arm. His creativity shines off-script, but he’s also shown pocket presence, with a 3.3-second average time to throw (PFF 2024), suggesting room for growth in reading defenses.
Strengths
1. Arm Talent: Strong arm with easy velocity, capable of deep throws and tight-window passes.
2. Athleticism: Elite speed and power as a runner, with a 75-yard run highlighting his explosiveness.
3. Sack Avoidance: Exceptional at evading pressure (19.1% pressure-to-sack rate), using size and agility.
4. Clutch Factor: Delivered in key moments, like the Clemson win, showing poise under pressure.
5. Upside: At 20 years old (2025 season), his developmental ceiling is high with more experience.
Weaknesses
1. Processing Speed: Struggles with post-snap reads, leading to a 4.7% turnover-worthy play rate (PFF 2024).
2. Ball Security: High TWP rate (19 in 2024) indicates risky decisions needing refinement.
3. Accuracy Consistency: Inconsistent on intermediate throws, especially under pressure.
4. Pocket Awareness: Tends to default to running when pressured, needing better pocket presence.
5. Experience: Only one full season as a starter limits his polish compared to peers.
Limitations
Sellers’ primary limitation is his inexperience, with just one starting season, impacting his ability to read complex defenses. His high TWP rate and reliance on athleticism suggest he’s not yet a refined pocket passer, and his development in 2025 will be critical. While his size aids durability, adapting to NFL speed and coverage schemes remains a challenge.
Scheme Fit
Sellers’ dual-threat skills suit spread or RPO-heavy NFL systems. Ideal fits include:
• Cleveland Browns (under Kevin Stefanski): With uncertainty at QB post-2025, Stefanski’s offense, blending play-action and QB mobility, could maximize Sellers’ arm and legs, offering a developmental role.
• New York Jets (under Nathaniel Hackett): A QB-needy team in 2026, Hackett’s system could leverage Sellers’ playmaking in a run-heavy offense, providing a fresh start at the position.
• Las Vegas Raiders (under Luke Getsy): Getsy’s offense, incorporating QB movement and vertical passing, aligns with Sellers’ style, making them a fit if they seek a long-term QB solution.
Player Comparison
Cam Newton (6’5”, 248 lbs). Newton’s towering frame, powerful arm (7.8 YPA, 21 big-time throws, 2015), and dual-threat dominance mirror Sellers’ 6’3”, 242 lbs build, 7.7 YPA, and 655 rushing yards in 2024. Both thrive in spread, RPO-heavy systems, with similar mobility (4.59 vs. ~4.70-second 40, 706 vs. 655 rushing yards/season) and clutch play (Newton’s 2015 MVP vs. Sellers’ 2024 Missouri comeback). Newton’s aggressive passing and physicality (12.4% scramble rate, PFF 2015) reflect Sellers’ 2024 tape, capturing his high-risk, high-reward style with developing accuracy, per PFF.
Off-Field Considerations
Sellers’ high school success (state title, Shrine Bowl MVP) and community ties in Florence reflect a winning mindset. His fishing hobby and grounded personality, per posts found on X, add to his appeal. No off-field issues reported.
Draft Outlook and Recommendations
Sellers is a high-upside quarterback with elite physical tools, positioning him as a potential top-10 pick in 2026 if he improves processing and ball security. His 2024 season (2,520 passing yards, 674 rushing yards, 26 TDs) shows promise, but his inexperience suggests a 1–2 year development timeline.
Recommended Draft Range: 2nd - 3rd Round (2026), though best case scenario may be returning to college and entering the draft in 2027.
• Ideal Landing Spots: Browns, Jets, Raiders
• Key Areas for 2025 Improvement:
• Enhance post-snap processing and defensive reads
• Reduce turnover-worthy plays
• Improve pocket presence and intermediate accuracy
Final Evaluation
LaNorris Sellers combines rare athleticism, arm strength, and size, making him a captivating 2026 NFL Draft prospect. His 2024 breakout and potential for growth suggest he could rise to QB1 status with a strong 2025. Addressing processing and consistency will be key, but his tools and trajectory offer a franchise QB ceiling with proper development.
Sources:
• PFF 2024 QB Stats
• NFL Draft Buzz
• SI.com
• On3
• Daft on Draft
• Posts found on X
• ESPN
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