A look at the quarterback position for the 2024 South Carolina football team

Spencer Rattler spent just two years in Columbia, but he will be remembered as one of the most talented quarterbacks ever to wear a South Carolina football uniform. After transferring to USC ahead of the 2022 season, he earned his way to fan-favorite status and now finds his name all over the top-10 lists in the Gamecock record books (even owning the top career completion percentage mark).

Things will look a little different for the Gamecocks in 2024 as Rattler is with the New Orleans Saints, and redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers will be handed the reins this fall. While it would be a big ask to expect Sellers to be immediately as good as Rattler was, there is still plenty of reason for optimism for Carolina fans as they get ready to watch #16 lead the offense this season.

Here's a preview of what the quarterback position could look like for the 2024 version of the South Carolina football team.

Projected Starter: LaNorris Sellers
Could Also Play: Robby Ashford, Luke Doty
Names to Watch for the Future: Dante Reno

LaNorris Sellers is as physically gifted as any quarterback to come through Williams-Brice Stadium. Possessing elite size (listed at 6'3" and 242 pounds on the official roster), he also is an impressive athlete who is among the strongest skill position players on the team and has been clocked in the 4.4-range in the 40-yard dash. His arm strength potential is huge, as well, as evidenced by the 60-yard bomb he threw to fellow freshman Tyshawn Russell against Furman last season.

Sellers also is gifted in other areas that would impact his play as a quarterback. An honors student in high school (his GPA was higher than his 40-yard dash time), Sellers is very intelligent. He also sees the game of football in a way that is uncommon for younger players, allowing him to make reads and adjustments on the fly. He is a natural leader and a clear communicator, falling into the same mold as his predecessor Rattler.

Simply put, if LaNorris Sellers' play on the field matches up to his natural abilities, the Gamecocks will get great production out of the quarterback position. (For a full breakdown on Sellers, check out this link.)

Robby Ashford was one of two transfer portal quarterbacks to make his way to Columbia this offseason (along with Palmetto State native Davis Beville). Ashford began his career at Oregon before becoming the part-time starter at Auburn. A dual-threat quarterback who is more known for his impact on the ground game, Ashford has a strong arm on deep balls, too. If Ashford is inserted into the game, it likely will be to ease some of the rushing burden from Sellers, but offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains could try to sneak in a shot downfield if he feels the defense is cheating up to stop the run.

Davis Beville began his career at Pittsburgh, becoming the starter before transferring to Oklahoma where he started one game. Now, he is a walk-on with his home-state program and brings depth and experience to the room. He is more of a pocket passer than Sellers or Ashford, but he can run a little bit, too. Beville and Luke Doty are the two players most likely to be considered the team's third quarterback this fall.

Dante Reno is likely headed for a redshirt this season. The true freshman was a 4-star prospect out of high school and will battle for the starting quarterback job in the future. He has a quick release, decent athleticism, and really high intangibles.

A wildcard in the quarterback discussion is Luke Doty. Now officially listed as an "athlete" on the roster, Doty was a 4-star quarterback in the class of 2020, but he played some receiver in high school and has dabbled at the position with the Gamecocks. He will be a receiver in 2024 but has not abandoned all quarterback responsibilities. Surprisingly, he is the Gamecocks' leading returning receiver (in terms of receptions) from the wide receiver position. This year, he should get snaps at receiver (mainly in the slot) and could be thrown in the backfield for potential gadget plays.

All in all, the Gamecock offense will look different with their new-look quarterback room, but being different isn't always a bad thing. Sellers' mobility will be utilized in a new offensive approach as Shawn Elliott has returned to the South Carolina football program to be the tight ends coach and run game coordinator. His experience with strong running games (especially ones that utilize a running quarterback) will be valuable to Loggains' game planning for the 2024 season. Ashford and Doty will be able to run much of the system, too.

Sellers and the rest of the quarterbacks will take the field with their Gamecock teammates in just 18 days as Williams-Brice Stadium will play host to the season opener against the Old Dominion Monarchs on August 31st.