It’s that time of the college football season again. Draft chatter has started heating up, and players’ stock starts to rise or fall depending on what they’ve shown so far. Unfortunately for South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, his once-promising NFL outlook now looks far less certain. But the question of the hour is, did Sellers suddenly forget how to play football, or is he just stuck in the wrong system?

When Shane Beamer handed the offense to his $1.1 million coordinator, Mike Shula, expectations were high for a breakout year, but things have unraveled quickly. South Carolina now ranks 127th nationally in total offense, averaging just 310 yards and 22.3 points per game, far from the explosive unit envisioned with LaNorris Sellers under center. Instead of pushing for playoff contention, the Gamecocks are languishing near the bottom of the SEC, and frustration has boiled over among fans, even sparking a “Fire Shula” protest after the team’s dismal 225-yard, one-touchdown showing against Oklahoma.

The struggles have taken a visible toll on Sellers. Once touted as a Heisman contender and an early favorite for the 2026 NFL Draft, the redshirt sophomore has battled through poor protection, inconsistent play-calling, and relentless pressure. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid noted that Sellers’ internal clock “looks sped up.” Against LSU, Sellers managed 15-of-27 passing for 124 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He added just 19 rushing yards on 22 carries, his second straight game without finding the end zone.

That same theme repeated versus Oklahoma, where Sellers completed 17-of-25 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown but was sacked six times for a loss of 53 yards and committed three turnovers. Analysing the play, Reid said, “The Gamecocks’ leaky offensive line has allowed bad habits to creep into his game.” 

In the seven games played, South Carolina’s offense averages 297 yards per game, scoring 10 of less points in three SEC games, and less than 24 points in five games played. Reid noted, “His timing and rhythm from the pocket have been inconsistent throughout the season.” As the college program suffered, Beamer hadn’t made any mid-season coaching changes until he fired the offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, after losing to Oklahoma. It seems like Shane Beamer’s mistake is affecting the program and its future NFL prospects.

Jordan Reid predicts LaNorris Sellers’ NFL draft

Despite the setback, Sellers remains among the top two betting favorites for the No. 1 overall pick, per Draftniks. Though his hold on that position feels more fragile by the week. The ESPN analyst Jordan Reid predicts LaNorris Sellers will be heading to the Las Vegas Raiders as the first-day pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but gave a caution. “Geno Smith hasn’t worked out so far in Las Vegas, as the new Raiders QB has thrown a league-high 10 interceptions and ranks 28th in QBR (38.2).”

He said that Vegas will be on the hunt for the signal caller in this year’s NFL Draft, and could end with the 6-3, 240-pound South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. “The skill set is awesome,” Reid said. “But there are mixed opinions on Sellers, who has struggled in South Carolina’s disappointing offense.” Honestly, Sellers hasn’t played Round 1-caliber ball in 2025. However, he heard from an NFC assistant GM that his traits “will convince someone to take him early.” He then kept a caution on the Raiders, “If that’s the Raiders, they’ll need to show patience.”

With a lot of people still believing in Sellers, he must prove his gameplay in the upcoming games. Where do you think LaNorris will head in the 2026 NFL Draft?