How Gamecock coaches expect quarterback battle to take shape this spring
South Carolina coaches are in no rush to name a starting quarterback.
Head coach Shane Beamer and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains made that clear during their first news conferences of spring practice. The Gamecocks held their first spring workout Tuesday and have 14 more practices before the spring game April 20.
Most fans and some analysts think the obvious choice is redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers, who had some eye-opening plays in limited action last year. But the Gamecocks added Auburn transfer Robby Ashford and Oklahoma transfer Davis Beville to push Sellers this spring. Freshman Dante Reno has enrolled early; Luke Doty was wearing a green QB jersey in the first practice but his team likely will be at receiver.
“The message was the same to all of them from the guys coming from the portal or to the guys that were here now — there is not a named starter,” Loggains said Wednesday. “LaNorris took the first reps yesterday and he has earned that because he was here last year.
“But we are going to continue to rotate them. And the evaluation process is an interview. It is the accumulation of these practices and then we start scrimmages. And those things matter as well.”
Loggains said it could be as simple as who gets the team in the end zone and who has the best command of the offense more during practice and when scrimmages start. It was during those spring scrimmages last year that Beamer said Sellers started to shine and coaches started to take notice.
Sellers played in three games last season, just under the four-game maximum to keep his redshirt status. He had a 50-yard TD pass against Furman and an exciting 36-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt.
“He has taken more of a role speaking up, whether it being in meetings or outside on the field,” Beamer said of Sellers. “I was in the weight room this morning at about 6:20 a.m. and we didn’t have anything until 7:30. He was trying to get extra work in and that is the kind of kid he is.”
Sellers and Ashford, both 6-foot-3, and the 6-foot-6 Beville definitely are bigger in size than future NFL draft pick Spencer Rattler, the Gamecocks’ starter for the past two seasons. Both Sellers and Ashford give the offense more of a dual threat and more mobile options.
“They are athletic and can make throws. Lot of upside in that group,” Beamer said. “Last year, Everyone knew Spencer was the guy. Now, it is a very competitive room where they are trying to make each other better but they are all trying to be the guy.
“... We are going to give all those guys opportunities, equal opportunities to compete.”
This story was originally published March 22, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "How Gamecock coaches expect quarterback battle to take shape this spring."
