LaNorris Sellers was starting to fade from the 2027 NFL Draft first-round conversation. Three straight SEC wins later, the South Carolina quarterback is giving NFL scouts a reason to reconsider.
On Halloween weekend, Sellers went 19-for-24 with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran the ball 13 times for 96 yards and two more scores, showing off the dual-threat ability that once made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in college football.
Over his last three games, Sellers has completed 66 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 212 rushing yards and five scores. After a 2-3 start, South Carolina has won three straight, and Sellers' NFL Draft stock is suddenly trending in the right direction.
How LaNorris Sellers went from first-round favorite to NFL Draft question mark
LaNorris Sellers has been a tantalizing NFL prospect for a couple of seasons. After a stellar sophomore year in 2024, he was part of the conversation for the 2026 draft class. But after a rocky season, he opted to go back to school.
South Carolina was bringing Sellers reinforcements. A new offensive coordinator and left tackle were supposed to improve things around Sellers drastically. But the Gamecocks and Sellers had just as rocky a start to the season as last year, and we weren't sure he would even be part of the 2027 class.
But in a year where there's so much turmoil around the rest of the draft-eligible quarterbacks, and the production is matching the highlight-reel plays, Sellers could be reinserting himself as a potential first-round pick in next April's draft.
The play that shows why NFL scouts can't ignore LaNorris Sellers
We could have used several highlights from this weekend to talk about LaNorris Sellers, but this play had it all.
LaNorris to Mazeo OH MY! pic.twitter.com/zSnxOIS4u3
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) October 31, 2026
First, we have the escapability. We know Sellers is an elite athlete and runner of the football. But to deftly evade pressure, especially up the middle, and rework himself into a good place to throw from, while keeping his eyes downfield for the big play, is really high-level play.
Next, we have the pure arm strength. This ball travels 46 yards through the air, and Sellers doesn't even have his feet set. He's still moving to the left, twisting his body into an unnatural position in order to get this throw off.
And finally, the accuracy. Sellers isn't an accurate quarterback right now, but he clearly understands where his receivers are going and where the defense has open space.
This ball is delivered in stride to the receiver, which leads him away from the defense and allows him to gain yards after the catch en route to a score, but not lead too far to the sideline to potentially go out of bounds.
It's the type of play that reminds NFL scouts why Sellers was considered one of the most exciting quarterback prospects in the country.
Why LaNorris Sellers is climbing back into the first-round conversation
It's good to see Sellers re-emerge as a potential first-round pick. Before the season, the top of the 2027 quarterback class included Sellers, Arch Manning, and Dante Moore. Three prospects with plus physical gifts that fans had some level of familiarity with.
But as the year went on those players faded, and were replaced by CJ Carr, Trinidad Chambliss, Darian Mesah, and Drew Mestemaker.
Mestemaker was a wild card going into the year after transferring from North Texas. And Carr, Chambliss, and Mensah are excellent prospects; they just don't have the physical tools of Sellers, Manning, and Moore.
But now that Sellers and South Carolina are finding some success, it's clear to see the physical gifts Sellers possesses that put him in a different category from those other players.
His combination of arm talent and athleticism alone makes him a potential first-round pick. But every win, 300-yard performance, and gutsy play put him that much more inside the bubble.
The question now is whether Sellers can maintain this momentum and convince NFL teams that his recent improvement is something they can build around at the next level.
3 NFL teams that could take a first-round chance on LaNorris Sellers
A couple of weeks ago, we took an updated look at the teams that could use a quarterback at the top of the 2027 NFL Draft. But for Sellers, let's take a look at a few teams that could target the South Carolina signal-caller towards the end of the first round.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold is on pace for fewer yards and touchdowns, but more interceptions this year than last. And he's a free agent after next season.
When Seattle goes into extension talks with Darnold after the season, it'd be a very similar situation to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield. Mayfield went from a mid-tier contract (3-year, $100 million) to a big-boy quarterback contract (3-year, $165 million), and the season has not gone to plan.
If Seattle were to draft Sellers, or any quarterback, in the first round, they could have a year to sit and develop behind Darnold before needing to become the team's starter.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are facing a difficult decision with Bryce Young. They picked up his fifth-year option for 2027, but have not yet signed him to a long-term extension.
After starting the season 3-2 and averaging over 29 points per game, they have been held to under 20 points in each of their losses in the last two weeks.
Young has struggled in these games as well. He's completed just 54 percent of his passes, with two touchdowns, three interceptions, and eleven sacks in these two contests.
Carolina could give it another year with Young and continue to build around him. But if Sellers is available to them in the first round and they aren't sold on Young long-term, they at least have to consider it.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos offense has gone through turmoil all season. From changing the play caller to shaky quarterback play, there's a chance this team is ready for a reset.
With the team at 5-2, a move like this seems rather unlikely, but we have no idea how the season will end for Denver at this point.
If the offense continues to have its ups and downs, coaching and quarterback included, drafting a new future quarterback in the first round can't be completely ruled out.
Sellers would be an intriguing developmental option because of his arm strength, mobility, and ability to create plays outside the structure of an offense.
Still, of the three teams mentioned, Denver would probably be the biggest surprise if it decided to invest another first-round pick in a quarterback.
Can LaNorris Sellers complete his NFL Draft comeback?
LaNorris Sellers has seen his NFL Draft stock rise and fall throughout his college career, but his latest surge could be the most important yet.
With four games remaining, including a matchup against Georgia, Sellers has another opportunity to prove his recent success is more than a hot streak.
His physical tools have never been the question. If his production continues to catch up, NFL teams may have a difficult time keeping him out of the first-round conversation.
And with the 2027 quarterback class still searching for a clear hierarchy, Sellers might be making his move at exactly the right time.
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