South Carolina Football: As spring practice rolls along, 6 reasons why LaNorris Sellers is ready to be QB1
By Kevin Miller
6 Reasons LaNorris Sellers is ready to be QB1 for South Carolina Football:
No. 2 Spencer Rattler
LaNorris Sellers had the unique gift of spending his true freshman season behind Spencer Rattler in 2023.
Not only is Rattler a solid comparison for Sellers' arm, but he was a great example of a leader and team captain for Sellers to emulate. #7 was running for his life most of the 2023 campaign, and according to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains, the quarterback never complained even behind closed doors. Instead, he was his teammates' biggest encourager.
Despite some unfair criticism dating back to his days in high school, Spencer Rattler was an excellent teammate and was extremely coachable during his time in Columbia. Everything that South Carolina football fans have gotten to see from LaNorris Sellers indicates that he is the same type of young man and player.
Rattler was also groomed from high school to become an NFL quarterback, meaning that he developed a tremendous work ethic and has received impressive training. Plenty of Rattler's habits and behaviors are worthy of imitation for Sellers.
The freshman got to watch some good quarterback play on the field, as well. Rattler was very good in 2023, and despite poor pass protection and almost no run game support, he was able to make things happen for the Gamecocks. His "unscripted" ability to extend plays was a big reason why.
The running game should be drastically improved in 2024 after the transfer portal helped flip the running back room and the offensive line gets healthier, but Sellers' physical abilities will allow him to mirror Rattler's improvisation and ability to move in the pocket to find a running lane or to extend a play for a pass. Theoretically, he will do it even better as a bigger and faster athlete than his predecessor.
If Sellers picks up on a lot of Rattler-esque traits and combines that with his elite athleticism, the Gamecocks will have a special player on their hands.