South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers drops in latest Mel Kiper NFL Draft Big Board order

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is one of the top players eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, after garnering a fair amount of support for the top overall spot in next spring’s draft, the Gamecock QB took a tumble in one of the most recent high-profile draft rankings updates.

This week, ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his updated NFL Draft Big Board, and Sellers fell substantially. After being considered for the No. 1 spot in a recent Kiper Big Board, Sellers is now No. 21. A Big Board is not necessarily a draft order but roughly translates to a “best prospects available” list.

This is what Kiper had to say about Sellers at the midway point of the 2025 season:

“Sellers has all the talent in the world when it comes to physical traits. The redshirt sophomore has great size for the QB position, a live arm, and the mobility to pick up chunks of yardage on the ground (284 rushing yards in 2025). I’ve heard comps to Josh Allen and Cam Newton. But Sellers hasn’t translated all those traits into consistent production. His ball location has been erratic, and his decision-making still isn’t there. On top of that, he has taken 19 sacks, seventh-most in the FBS. Sellers is still developing as a prospect, but you can’t teach his skill set. There will be teams that get excited about his potential.”

Sellers also ranks as Kiper’s No. 4 draft-eligible quarterback. Junior Nyck Harbor slotted in at No. 9 among all wide receivers. Cornerback Brandon Cisse has made a jump to No. 4 in Kiper’s cornerback rankings. Defensive back Jalon Kilgore is listed at No. 9 among all safeties, though he has been a nickel for South Carolina and has NFL scouts divided on whether he should play safety, corner, or nickel.

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Sellers has two more years of eligibility remaining after the 2025 campaign. However, because he redshirted in 2023, he can make a jump to the NFL this offseason if he chooses. The Florence, South Carolina native has enough talent to be a first-round pick but hasn’t had the type of season that he had hoped in his second year as a starter.

Following an All-SEC effort in 2024, Sellers has been inconsistent behind poor offensive line play this season. USC head coach Shane Beamer made a move with his coaching staff this week, letting go of offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley and shifting over tight ends coach Shawn Elliott in hopes that the former Gamecock line coach can recapture some of the magic he experienced when he coached the position under Steve Spurrier in Columbia. If that happens, it will only mean good things for Sellers.

Sellers and South Carolina will take the field again this Saturday at home in Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks will face the Oklahoma Sooners and fellow NFL Draft prospect John Mateer. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. The game will broadcast on SEC Network and stream on the ESPN app.

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