The South Carolina Gamecocks are viewed by many as dark-horse contenders to contend for an SEC title this season, in large part due to the expectations placed on Heisman candidate quarterback LaNorris Sellers. But according to Sellers’ dad, his son had plenty of chances to look elsewhere this offseason.
Sellers is coming off a redshirt freshman season where he exploded onto the scene, recording 25 total touchdowns and 2,534 yards passing with just seven interceptions. But more importantly, South Carolina had it’s best regular season record in over a decade, finishing 9-3 and barely missing out on a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Expectations are high for both South Carolina and Sellers individually to only grow on this success last season. And for Sellers, this meant significant interest from other schools if he were have to potentially enter the transfer portal.
“He was offered all kinds of crazy numbers,” Norris Sellers, LaNorris’s father told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. “I told him he could say, I’m gonna stay or I’m gonna go. By my two cents: It was to get into college on a scholarship, play ball, get our degree and go on about our business. This NIL deal came later. We didn’t come here to make money. We came here to get our education, play ball, and with schools calling, we’re not gonna jump ship because they’re offering more than what we’re getting. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
According to Norris Sellers, the biggest offer that his son got was a two-year $8 million offer to play for a school that remained anonymous. But quickly, Norris told his son to think of the bigger picture when it came to his football career.
“You’re 19,” Norris told his son, “You don’t need ($8 million). You’re in a great spot. There were several talks, but it never really crossed his mind (to leave). It’s a challenge with colleges offering younger guys that kind of money. Who’s gonna say no to $8 million for two years? They’re gonna be swayed if you don’t have the right people in your corner.”
Considering LaNorris Sellers is inside the top-10 in odds on sportsbooks to win the Heisman Trophy, it makes total sense as to why he is so coveted by other schools. But clearly, Sellers is far more focused on what is the best fit for him over the amount of money he could receive elsewhere.