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Mike Shula denies that Gamecocks QB1 compares to Bills' Josh Allen, Auburn football legend Cam Newton

By Andrew Hughes

South Carolina offensive analyst Mike Shula wouldn't allow his QB, LarNorris Sellers, to be compared to Bills star Josh Allen and Auburn football legend Cam Newton
South Carolina offensive analyst Mike Shula wouldn't allow his QB, LarNorris Sellers, to be compared to Bills star Josh Allen and Auburn football legend Cam Newton / Adam Glanzman/GettyImages
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The State's Jordan Kaye spoke to Mike Shula about his offensive analyst/quarterbacks coach role with South Carolina and the Gamecocks' QB1, LaNorris Sellers, and the long-time NFL position coach/offensive coordinator and pre-Nick Saban era Alabama Crimson Tide head coach was brutally honest about Sellers' game. In particular, Shula denied that Sellers' game resembles Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen or former Auburn football Heisman winner Cam Newton.

"LaNorris, as we all know, has a skill set to both throw the football and run the football, just like those other guys had that skill set," Shula prefaced before saying, "Now that’s probably where the comparisons end just because of the youthfulness of LaNorris. The biggest thing with him is, he just goes to go play. He’s a fast learner. From watching them in spring ball and training camp, things that are new to him — just like they would be any other freshman or redshirt freshman — he might not get it the first time, but then he retains it and learns from it and gets it the next time."

Sellers had a notably underwhelming debut as South Carolina's starter under center, throwing 13 incompletions in 23 pass attempts against Old Dominion in a 23-19 win. His feet probably kept him in the game as QB1. Sellers added 68 yards and a game-winning touchdown against the Monarchs.

But he has competition in that Gamecocks QB room. Familiar competition to Tiger fans, too.

Former Auburn football QB1 Robby Ashford waiting for opportunity at South Carolina

While Shane Beamer is completely behind Sellers, Robby Ashford is too experienced to ignore if South Carolina continues to look unprepared for SEC competition. Ashford has wins over two of the Gamecocks' opponents, Missouri and Texas A&M, from the 2022 season. Yes, those teams look different in 2024, especially the Aggies under a new head coach, Mike Elko, but those wins could be, at minimum, an emotional edge South Carolina could gain for potentially winnable home games as spoilers later in the season.

If Sellers isn't ready to at least more closely resemble Allen and Newton as this season progresses, then exploring Ashford is an option Beamer has to consider.

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