LaNorris Sellers has been making news in recent weeks not only for his thrilling play on the diamond, but for his comportment under the spotlight off of it. Coaches and teammates both have used the terms “poise” and “maturity.” Sellers, a bulky 6-foot-3, 240-pound football player from Florence, South Carolina, is more than a quarterback; he’s a dual-threat phenom who already has 2,534 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and chipped in an additional 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in his breakout 2024 campaign.

He is laser-focused on taking the Gamecocks to the national stage, while coaches and analysts are discussing his NFL potential. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has referred to him as “the real deal,” and it’s difficult to dispute when you view him avoid pressure, make plays, and convert clutch throws in high-stakes contests. But when you think the tale is too good to be true, Sellers’ father comes on stage with a revelation about his son, which is a colossal blast from the past.

In a recent X tweet, SEC Mike uncovers something LaNorris Sellers’ father, Norris, alleges. “LaNorris Sellers’ dad claims his son was offered $8 million in NIL for two years to leave South Carolina. “Who’s gonna say no to $8 million for two years? They’re gonna be swayed if you don’t have the right people in your corner.” That’s the kind of figure that makes even the most loyal players stop and think, ‘What would I do?’ But for LaNorris, the response was easy: stay where you are.

To reports, the competitor programs continued to come at Sellers during the spring, attempting to get him into the transfer portal following each practice, each game, each highlight reel play. His teammates teased him about how persistent the suitors were, yet LaNorris never faltered. And that’s what Gamecocks reporter Mike Uva affirms, responding to SEC Mike’s tweet. “To add to this, several of Sellers’ teammates I spoke with have shared with me that there were teams still trying to get him to enter the transfer portal following spring ball. As Sellers has told me in the past, he loves the city and the program. He wants to win as a Gamecock,” he writes.

Norris, the ever-proud, protective father, put it into context, confessing to the temptation that is genuine for any young sportsman. But he also reminded everybody that football is not all about the money. It’s about friendships, trust, and creating something special. “By my two cents: It was to get into college on a scholarship, play ball, get our degree, and go on about our business,” Norris said. “This NIL deal came later. We didn’t come here to make money. We came here to get our education, play ball, and with schools calling, we’re not gonna jump ship because they’re offering more than what we’re getting. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The next steps for a future NFL star

LaNorris Sellers isn’t sticking with South Carolina out of affection for the game and his family; he’s also placing himself on the national stage as one of the most intriguing young quarterbacks in college football. The boy, who once faced neglect, who had millions bidding for him to leave, stepped onto the field with skeptics ready to pounce, and is now slotted as a top-5 NFL Draft prospect. The tale only becomes crazier. It wasn’t that long ago that LaNorris Sellers was just another name on a list of recruits, a young man who didn’t receive a South Carolina scholarship until the latter part of his senior year. His initial college start was an even mix: a poor opening performance against Old Dominion, with fans audibly grumbling after a reckless deep pass and a costly false start.

When the game was on the line, Sellers bulled in with a game-winning touchdown run, demonstrating the sort of grit and playmaking that would become his trademark. His passing numbers that evening? Not gaudy—10 of 23 for 114 yards—but it worked just fine, and that’s what counted. Flash forward to the present, and the story has reversed entirely. Sellers is no longer the underdog; he’s the dude everybody’s looking at. NFL draft experts and opposing coaches are praising him. Dane Brugler of The Athletic predicts that a team will select him second overall in the 2026 draft. CBS Sports ranks him No. 2, ESPN No. 4. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise with a rich quarterback history, are looking at him as Aaron Rodgers’ long-term successor.

The Steelers, with Rodgers on a one-year contract, need stability, and Sellers’ dual-threat skills, arm talent, and increasing draft value make him the ideal candidate for a team in transition. Sellers’ attitude toward being in the limelight has surprised everyone. His father, Norris, keeps him down to earth, reminding him that football is bigger than the paychecks. And LaNorris himself? He has remained humble, even as fame and attention have erupted around him. Head coach Shane Beamer says Sellers is still the same man after a legendary play vs Clemson that he is at a normal Saturday morning practice—no ego, just work ethic and a passion for the game.