Dan Orlovsky believes LaNorris Sellers could shake up race for Heisman Trophy, 2026 No. 1 overall pick

Dan Orlovsky is a big fan of South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, so much so that he could be the No. 1 overall pick and Heisman winner. No fooling, that’s what Orlovsky sees in the Gamecocks’ signal caller.

Sellers is a popular figure when it comes to finding a breakout candidate in the SEC this year. He has true dual threat ability and had an exciting stretch to end the 2024 season.

Orlovsky threw out the Anthony Richardson to Cam Newton comparison, in terms of the physical attributes. However, Sellers is more NFL-ready based on the game experience and expects great things this fall.

“The most exciting quarterback for me is probably LaNorris Sellers or Garrett Nussmeier,” Orlovsky said on First Take. “I really think when it comes to just watching the quarterback position and some of the things that are the most important ones with success at the college level, going into the NFL, it is Nussmeier at LSU and LaNorris Sellers in South Carolina. LaNorris Sellers, you know, Anthony Richardson at Florida a couple years ago reminded people of Cam Newton, (Sellers is) very much so in that mold, but also has played a gajillion snaps already …

“LaNorris Sellers is six-foot-three, 240 pounds, won four straight SEC games to finish this season, went 10 touchdowns, one pick in that stretch and over 300 yards. That was his first year (that he) started. And back to the context, he’s not doing it with some of the guys that some of the other quarterbacks in the SEC have at the perimeter. So I think LaNorris Sellers is the guy that could totally throw the number one pick conversation for a loop, totally throw the SEC for a loop, and totally throw the Heisman conversation for a loop.”

In his first full year as a starter, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 65.6% completion percentage. He also ran for 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Funny enough, Sellers drew other QB comparisons from earlier this century. NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared him to former Minnesota Vikings QB Dante Culpepper, who was one of the best in the league when healthy.

“Before he suffered injuries at the pro level, Culpepper was an outstanding athlete with the frame/build of an outside linebacker. He could function in the pure drop-back game, but if pressured, he could buy time or take off and generate explosive plays,” Jeremiah wrote.

“There wasn’t any panic in his game and he was very difficult to get on the ground. Sellers still has some development ahead of him, but it’s easy to see why NFL evaluators are already buzzing about his potential at the next level.”