In a bold prediction from Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft, the Las Vegas Raiders are forecasted to trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers—a quarterback lauded as a “freak athlete”—as the eventual successor to Geno Smith.
Is Sellers College Football’s Next Superstar?
Sellers burst onto the college football field in 2024, making the South Carolina Gamecocks’ offense better and becoming famous on a national level. In his first year, Sellers, a redshirt freshman, was good for 65.6 % of the passes, 2,534 yards, and 18 scores throwing, while running 674 yards and seven more touchdowns on the ground.
His double-threat potential, unusual for a player of his size (6’3″, 242 lbs), and innate talent for creating eye-catching performances made him one of the most discussed future stars in the country.
LaNorris Sellers has all the tools to be the #1 overall pick in 2026. Such a fun player. pic.twitter.com/0fRXQJvoKU
— Ray G (@RayGQue) May 6, 2025
Sellers’ impact was immediate and dramatic. He led South Carolina to a 9-4 record, including signature wins over Texas A&M and Clemson—games in which his arm and legs proved decisive.
By season’s end, he was named the FWAA’s National Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and the SEC’s Freshman of the Year, becoming the first freshman in school history to be named a team captain.
What Makes Sellers a ‘Freak Athlete’—and What’s Next?
Sellers has a unique mix of size, speed, and arm strength, but he’s still a work in progress. Last season, his offense leaned a lot on short passes—over a quarter of his throws (27.4%) were at or behind the line of scrimmage, which put him way down at 92nd in the FBS.
That style did let him show off his quick decisions and ability to move, but experts say he still needs to improve at reading defenses downfield and reducing turnovers.
He threw seven picks and lost six out of 11 fumbles last year. Plus, his average time to throw was 3.06 seconds, one of the slowest in the country, so there’s room for him to speed up his reads and decisions.
Despite these areas for improvement, Sellers’ ceiling is sky-high. He’s already on Heisman watchlists and is widely projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Head coach Shane Beamer expects even more in 2025, citing Sellers’ growth and resilience:
“He made some plays in that game with his feet… I knew he would continue to improve as the year went on”. National pundits, including Joel Klatt, believe Sellers is poised to become one of college football’s biggest stars if he builds on his second-half surge from 2024.
KEEP READING: ‘You Can’t Coach That S***’ — Why Todd McShay Thinks LaNorris Sellers Could Be South Carolina’s Breakout Star
The Raiders’ rumored plan to trade up for the South Carolina star reflects the growing consensus: He’s not just a “freak athlete” but a potential franchise quarterback whose college journey is just beginning.
If Sellers refines his game in 2025, he could not only lead South Carolina to new heights but also cement himself as the most coveted quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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