South Carolina was one of the biggest surprises in the country last season, putting together a 9-3 season and nearly getting to the College Football Playoff.
Entering this past offseason, the Gamecocks had 2 elite players they needed to retain: pass rusher Dylan Stewart and quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Shane Beamer and Co. were able to keep both of those superstars on campus for at least another season without much drama.
Now we know that task was more difficult than originally known.
According to a new story from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Sellers was offered $8 million by another school to transfer after the 2024 season. That payday would have been spread out over 2 seasons, but it’s still an enormous amount of money that Sellers ultimately walked away from to stay at South Carolina. Feldman cited a conversation with Sellers’ father in his report.
“There were several talks, but it never really crossed his mind (to leave),” Norris told Feldman. “It’s a challenge with colleges offering younger guys that kind of money. 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.”
The report doesn’t say which schools may have offered Sellers that kind of money, but that deal is roughly in line with what Carson Beck is reportedly going to make at Miami in 2025. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia also says he was offered more than $4 million by an SEC team to enter the portal after the 2024 season.
Sellers enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 as he threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also rushed for 674 yards and 7 more scores on the ground. South Carolina will be hoping he takes another step forward in 2025.
Sellers and the Gamecocks will open the 2025 campaign against Virginia Tech on Aug. 31.
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