LaNorris Sellers Named to 2025 Preseason Maxwell Award Watchlist

Columbia, South Carolina –

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been named to the 2025 preseason Maxwell Award watchlist, recognizing him as one of the top college football players this season. The Maxwell Award, which honors the College Player of the Year, has been awarded since its inception in 1937 and currently features 80 elite players vying for the prestigious accolade.

Sellers, a redshirt sophomore hailing from Florence, S.C., stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds. He earned notable recognition during the previous season, being honored as the 2024 National Freshman Offensive Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America. In his debut season as a starter, he displayed exceptional skills that garnered attention from both fans and analysts alike.

In the 2024 season, Sellers threw for a total of 2,534 yards and achieved 18 touchdowns, completing 65.6% of his pass attempts. Additionally, he demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities by rushing for 674 yards and scoring another 7 touchdowns. His performance not only resulted in a series of accolades including Freshman All-American and All-SEC honors, but also positioned him as a player to watch in the upcoming college football landscape.

As a result of his exemplary performance, Sellers has been mentioned in discussions as a potential first-round draft pick for the 2026 NFL Draft, though projections currently lean towards the 2027 Draft. His college career has been positively compared to other quarterbacks who have benefitted from extended experiences at the collegiate level, highlighting his potential for future success.

The Maxwell Football Club leverages assessments in collaboration with Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele Publications, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation for players named to the watchlist. Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on November 11, 2025, with finalists to follow on November 25. The winner will be revealed during the ESPN College Football Awards Show on December 11, 2025.

Sellers is also generating buzz as he is mentioned among several players in the preseason Heisman conversation. Fellow SEC quarterbacks have praised his dual-threat capabilities, recognizing his ability to execute both effective passes and strategic runs. However, it is noteworthy that Sellers has faced injury challenges during his career, including a dislocated bone in his chest during junior high and leg and ankle injuries which led to him temporarily exiting games in 2024.

Prior to his college career, Sellers was a four-star recruit from South Florence High School, where he demonstrated considerable talent and leadership skills by contributing to a championship-winning high school team. His agility, arm strength, and evasion of pressure in the pocket are key strengths, although areas for improvement include decision-making and processing under pressure.

Sellers is set to lead the Gamecocks into the 2025 season, building on momentum from a successful 2024 season, which resulted in a 9-4 record. As he gears up for this season, both fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see how his performance unfolds.