LaNorris Sellers returning is Shane Beamer’s biggest win yet

By Chris Marler

Shane Beamer needed a big win. He didn’t find many on the field, and after athletic director Jeremiah Donati gave the fifth year coach a vote of confidence to return next year, he definitely needed some wins this offseason. 

On Saturday Beamer got his biggest win yet with reports that quarterback LaNorris Sellers winn return for a fourth season in Columbia.

Sources: South Carolina star quarterback LaNorris Sellers is nearing a deal to return to the school for his redshirt junior year in 2026. He’s indicated to the staff he’ll be returning. The sides are the expected to finalize a deal soon. pic.twitter.com/mIOodckfMe

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 13, 2025

Sellers was the preseason All-SEC quarterback going into the year. The Gamecocks were preseason top 15 in the country, and some had Sellers pegged as a potential No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. 

None of that came to fruition as the season was derailed almost immediately. The Gamecocks finished 4-8, Sellers struggled behind an offensive line that allowed over 40 sacks for a third consecutive season and offensive coordinator Mike Shula was fired by November. 

Beamer’s offensive coordinator hire had failed once again for the third time in five years. The South Carolina offense finished 14th or worse in the SEC in points scored, total yards, and rushing yards. The frustration grew considering Beamer had been resistant to change. Before this year he had fired just one offensive staff member during his tenure. 

That changed quickly. He fired the offensive line coach, running backs coach, and offensive coordinator. 

“We’re gonna build the offense around LaNorris strengths.” – Kendal Briles pic.twitter.com/6gb93A936i

— Famously Garnet Sports (@FamouslyGarnet) December 12, 2025

While these changes were welcomed, it wasn’t until Beamer hired offensive coordinator Kendal Briles that Sellers decided to stay. The up tempo style Briles has run at TCU and other stops over his 11 years as a play caller is more suited to Sellers’s strengths. 

Sellers clearly isn’t ready for the NFL. But staying at South Carolina and playing for a program that has sent one quarterback to the League in the last 38 years? Playing behind an offensive line that resembles a turnstile? That’s shocking. 

It’s also refreshing. A local star from 70 miles up the road in Florence, South Carolina, staying true to his commitment to his home state school. That’s something to cheer for. 

Beamer has won the offseason early in Columbia. It remains to be seen if the wins off the field translate to success on it.