Bud Elliott recently dropped his list of the top 10 returning quarterbacks in college football for the upcoming season, and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers being listed at No. 6 is not just a head scratcher, it's an outright snub. While the QBs on the list are no doubt great in their own right, there is a case to be made for Seller ranking higher.
Roast it pic.twitter.com/d5byw4vdVm
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) April 9, 2025
1. His skillset is off the charts
Let's be clear, LaNorris Sellers isn't just a dual threat quarterback, he's a problem for opposing defenses. Just ask Clemson. At 6'3", 243 lbs., he's built like a linebacker, runs like a tailback, and throws missiles with the flick of his wrist. Sellers has a combination of size, power, speed, and arm strength that makes him one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the nation. While DJ Lagway and Cade Klubnik may get more headlines, Sellers is highly underrated as being the complete package that some of the others on the list simply don't have.
2. He carried a rebuilding offense
Unlike many quarterbacks on the list, Sellers hasn't had a seasoned roster or deep depth chart. Yet, last season, he made big plays when it mattered most. He accounted for over 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. And he's stepping into an offense that is practically rebuilding from the ground up for this season. Impressive? No, elite.
3. He possesses leadership you can't measure on a stat sheet
Shane Beamer knew Sellers was a leader long before he took his first start. He has the "face of the franchise" kind of vibe about him, teammates rally around him, and coaches have praised him for his poise under pressure. Being a quarterback is a mental position, and being able to control your emotions under pressure is often what separates the good from the great. Sellers has that.
4. He's just getting started, baby!
Last season was truly the warm-up. As Sellers enters the 2025 season, he will have more experience, more weapons at his disposal, and an offensive line that has taken major strides over the offseason. If his trajectory holds, Sellers will be posting numbers and highlight reels that make analysts and voters rethink where they ranked him. And who doesn't love an underdog?
5. He's a Gamecock
Let's be real, the SEC bias exists. And even though South Carolina isn't the media's sweetheart, it doesn't disqualify the Gamecocks as being a powerhouse. Sellers outperformed quarterbacks from higher-profile programs last season, including the No. 1 on that list. Just saying.
6. Sellers ain't playing flag football
"Strength of schedule" is a phrase that makes me equally proud and makes me roll my eyes. Looking at that list, all I can say is- some of these quarterbacks are feasting on schedules softer than a Chick-fil-A biscuit on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, LaNorris Sellers is running full speed through an SEC gauntlet. We all know that some of those stats wouldn't hold water in the juggernaut of a schedule that South Carolina faces every season.
The bottom line is, while these QBs are no doubt some of the best in their league, LaNorris Sellers is not a name that you just casually put in the middle of a list of great returning QBs. By season's end, don't be surprised when No. 6 is sitting at No. 1, with the rest of the college football nation finally paying attention to what Gamecock fans already know.
LaNorris Sellers isn't just returning, he's coming for everything.