SC's LaNorris Sellers emerges as a Heisman candidate

Few took notice of LaNorris Sellers a year ago when he approached his first season as the starting quarterback for the gamecocks.

Now he’s a star.

What happened?

Sellers is among the top 10 contenders for the Heisman Trophy. And, according to The Athletic,  he turned down a $8 million offer over two years to leave South Carolina.

No wonder Sellers' stock is flying high.

Sellers was asked at SEC media days whether he preferred having no expectations like last year or the chance this year to snag the Heisman.

"I prefer just going out there and playing," Sellers told local media in Atlanta on July 14. "Not really worrying about expectations ... Playing football, in my life, I've had high expectations all for myself and my team. Just taking it, going in one ear out the other."

He was also asked about Heisman odds, being mentioned with players like Texas QB Arch Manning and Clemson's Cade Klubnik.

"It's all opinion based. Whoever they think is better is who they think is better," Sellers said.

After Sellers led South Carolina to a 9-4 season, rumors on social media circulated that he would want to leave. Coach Shane Beamer said he was not concerned.

"I think he knows this is home and he has everything that he needs here to be successful," Beamer said. "We didn't have a lot of in depth conversations in regards to, 'Hey man, I really want you to stay, are you leaving?' I don't know if we had that conversation because maybe I was naive, but I knew he loved it here.

"I mean, he's coming off the season as a starting quarterback where he wins nine games. He's playing as well as any quarterback in the country at the end of last season ... he loves being here. Like, why the hell would you leave? I mean, I know money is an aspect of it but also, don't mess with happiness, either. And he's got a great situation."

Sellers played high school football just under 90 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium. Beamer added he is excelling academically, and did an internship with a construction company over the summer, further emphasizing his belief that Sellers is exactly where he wants and needs to be.

"Don't get me wrong, we had conversations," Beamer said. "I talked to (his) family when we had an offensive coordinator opening to see where he was on that. So we're always communicating. But I also know that we got a really good thing going on at South Carolina, not just for him, but for our entire team. Guys enjoy being part of this program, and know that they can reach all their goals and accomplish their dreams here."