Kentucky will face LaNorris Sellers again in 2026

One of the top quarterbacks in the SEC is expected to stick around for another season. On3’s Pete Nakos reported this weekend that LaNorris Sellers is finalizing a deal to remain at South Carolina for the 2026 season.

Sellers was one of the top-paid quarterbacks in college football this fall, earning approximately $1.8 million in Columbia. That investment did not translate to wins.

A Heisman frontrunner in the preseason, Sellers had flashes of outstanding play, but an inconsistent supporting cast. He completed just 60% of his passes for 2,437 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The duel-threat athlete was also limited to just 270 rushing yards.

South Carolina finished 4-8, with only one win over an SEC foe. Before that win over Kentucky, KSR spoke with plenty of South Carolina fans who were ready to fire offensive coordinator Mike Shula in September. He made it to November before Shane Beamer pulled the trigger.

Sellers probably wouldn’t be back if Beamer didn’t make a universally-praised move last week. South Carolina hired Kendal Briles to call plays for the Gamecocks. Briles previously worked at Arkansas and spent the last three seasons lighting up scoreboards at TCU.

In the first 2026 NFL Mock Drafts, Sellers was as high as the No. 2 overall pick. Even though he took a step back in 2025, many still suspected he could be a first round pick. Not only is he returning for another year of college, but he also will not go portaling. It could be a very light market for transfer portal quarterbacks during this cycle.

Kentucky will face Sellers at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 3. Kentucky won seven of eight in the series, but the Gamecocks have rattled off four straight wins over the Wildcats. In two starts against Kentucky, Sellers is 21-28 (75%) for 309 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. For Will Stein’s first season to be a success, Kentucky must have its best effort against South Carolina and one of the top quarterback prospects in college football.

[KSR Plus: Kentucky’s path to success in SEC New World Order remains the same]

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