Ole Miss wary of SC QB Sellers’ raw talent

**Lane Kiffin: South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers ‘Might Be Best’ QB Ole Miss Has Faced**

**COLUMBIA, S.C.** — As No. 7 Ole Miss prepares to face South Carolina this Saturday, Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin has sent ripples through the SEC, expressing an unusually high level of concern over a true freshman quarterback with minimal game experience: LaNorris Sellers. Kiffin, known for his candid assessments, has gone on record to say Sellers might just be the most impressive quarterback the Rebels’ strong 9-2 squad has encountered all season.

The highly anticipated matchup, set for Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, pits Kiffin’s College Football Playoff hopefuls against a 5-6 Gamecocks team desperately needing a win to become bowl-eligible. While many might view the game as a straightforward path for Ole Miss, Kiffin is clearly not overlooking the potential impact of Sellers.

“He might be the best guy we’ve played all year at quarterback, just talent-wise,” Kiffin told reporters, emphasizing his appraisal of Sellers’ raw ability. Despite only seeing 29 snaps across limited appearances this season, Kiffin lauded the freshman as a “prototype future NFL player” possessing “amazing speed” and a “cannon for an arm.”

Kiffin’s praise didn’t stop there. He placed Sellers in an elite conversation, likening his skillset to dual-threat phenoms like LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe — both of whom Ole Miss has already faced this season. He further drew comparisons to other big, fast quarterbacks who have redefined the position, specifically mentioning NFL stars Cam Newton and Anthony Richardson.

Sellers’ collegiate stat line to date includes 13 pass attempts for 161 yards and two touchdowns, alongside 15 rushes for 194 yards and two scores on the ground. These numbers, while modest, highlight his dual-threat capability, which Kiffin suggests presents a unique challenge that transcends simple statistics.

The looming question for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is whether to lean on Sellers more heavily, or even give him a starting nod, to spark an offense currently led by usual starter Spencer Rattler. With the Gamecocks’ postseason hopes on the line, the speculation around Sellers’ playing time is mounting.

For Ole Miss, Kiffin confirmed that preparing for Sellers has been a significant focus. “We’ve spent more time on him than probably our own starter [Jaxson Dart] just to analyze his talent,” Kiffin admitted, underscoring the gravity of his scouting report. The Rebels’ defense, which has largely performed well this season, will need to be ready for a dynamic threat if Sellers sees extended action.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with broadcast coverage typically handled by SEC Network. While the records suggest a mismatch, Kiffin’s unusual pre-game assessment of LaNorris Sellers signals that Ole Miss is bracing for a talent-laden challenge, regardless of the Gamecocks’ overall season performance.