South Carolina’s Spring Game, scheduled for April 18, will mark the conclusion of their 14 spring practices. With a roster featuring numerous new additions, head coach Shane Beamer has expressed enthusiasm about the team’s preparation throughout January and February. However, in his fifth year leading the Gamecocks, Beamer has emphasized that no position is guaranteed, with nearly every spot on the depth chart still up for grabs—particularly at the quarterback position.
At the forefront of this discussion is LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina’s established starting quarterback. Sellers had a breakout season in 2024, guiding the team to a 9-3 record while amassing 2,274 passing yards and 655 rushing yards. His impressive performance earned him multiple accolades, including SEC Freshman of the Year. However, the primary concern heading into 2025 is the depth behind him.
A significant question lingers: if Sellers were to be sidelined, who would step in? That uncertainty has been a major talking point throughout the offseason. Addressing this issue, Beamer recently provided an update that aims to ease some of those concerns.
On March 18, Beamer spoke about the quarterback situation, reaffirming that Sellers would enter spring practice as the team’s clear starter. While acknowledging that competition remains important, he was candid about Sellers’ position, stating, “Let’s be real, it’s gonna be hard to beat him out.” Still, the bigger question revolves around who will serve as the backup.
Beamer acknowledged the inexperience in the quarterback room, explaining that the team’s depth at the position is still developing. He pointed out that Dante Reno and Air Noland are entering their second years in college, while Sellers is heading into his third. Cutter Woods, meanwhile, is just beginning his first practice with the Gamecocks, and Jimmy Francis is finishing up his freshman year. Given this youth, Beamer openly described the group as “a very, very, very, very young quarterback room.”
Despite Sellers’ starting experience, Beamer emphasized that even he is still relatively young in terms of development. Nonetheless, the coaching staff is eager to watch the quarterbacks compete throughout the spring. Beamer stated that he has been encouraged by their progress, singling out several players for their early improvements.
One player who has stood out in preseason discussions is Cutter Woods. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, Woods offers a strong combination of size, skill, and competitiveness. In addition to his football talents, he is a standout basketball player. His success on the field in high school was particularly impressive—his senior year saw him throw for 3,915 yards and 42 touchdowns, earning him the MaxPreps South Carolina Player of the Year award.
As spring practice nears, Beamer is eager to see how the competition unfolds. He noted that all the quarterbacks will be placed in various situations to test their abilities and assess how the depth chart shapes up. The coaching staff will be closely evaluating their performances to determine the best options behind Sellers.
Now, all eyes will be on South Carolina’s quarterback room as the team heads into the 2025 season, with Beamer confident yet realistic about the challenges ahead.