ESPN REPORT: LaNoriss Sellers, the quarterback for South Carolina, was named the Most Impactful Team Player in NCAA football going into the 2025 season. He was ranked higher than Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State, Ryan Williams of Alabama, Collins Simons and Arch Manning of Texas, Leonard Moore and Sam Leavitt of Notre Dame, and others.

LaNoriss Sellers, the quarterback for South Carolina, was recently named the Most Impactful Team Player in NCAA football going into the 2025 season, according to ESPN. This prestigious recognition puts him ahead of elite talents like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Alabama’s Ryan Williams, Texas standouts Collins Simons and Arch Manning, and the Notre Dame duo of Leonard Moore and Sam Leavitt, among others. Sellers’ rise to this honor underscores not only his immense individual potential but also the transformative impact he has had on the Gamecocks’ program and the broader college football landscape.

Sellers, a dual-threat quarterback with a unique blend of athleticism, football IQ, and leadership qualities, has captivated both fans and analysts since taking over the starting job in Columbia. His 2024 season was a breakout campaign that showcased his ability to elevate the play of those around him. Whether it was his laser-accurate throws in tight windows or his dynamic rushing ability that forced defenses to constantly adjust, Sellers demonstrated week after week that he was the centerpiece of South Carolina’s resurgence.

What truly separates Sellers from his peers, however, is his intangible influence on the culture and chemistry of his team. While many quarterbacks can produce gaudy statistics, Sellers’ leadership has galvanized the entire South Carolina roster. His steady presence and relentless work ethic have set the standard for the rest of the locker room, earning him the trust and admiration of his teammates. In interviews with ESPN, Gamecocks players and coaches emphasized how Sellers’ unwavering belief in their collective potential has created a culture of accountability and belief that transcends the typical quarterback role.

His impact was particularly evident during South Carolina’s impressive run in the latter half of the 2024 season. After a shaky start in the early games, Sellers refused to let his team’s morale waver. He was seen constantly rallying the offense on the sidelines, offering support and solutions during adversity. This ability to maintain composure and inspire confidence became a hallmark of Sellers’ leadership, and it was a crucial factor in the Gamecocks’ strong finish, culminating in a bowl victory that re-energized the program’s fan base.

While Sellers’ leadership has been a critical factor in his Most Impactful Team Player designation, his on-field production cannot be overlooked. In 2024, he passed for nearly 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, adding another 700 yards and 10 scores on the ground. His dual-threat versatility not only kept defenses off-balance but also opened up the playbook for South Carolina’s offensive coordinator, enabling a more dynamic and unpredictable attack. It was this balance of threat that forced defensive coordinators across the SEC to spend sleepless nights game-planning for the Gamecocks.

This multifaceted skill set is what places Sellers ahead of other elite players like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams. Smith, a physically gifted wide receiver for Ohio State, has already been touted as one of the top pass-catchers in the country. His ability to take the top off defenses with his blazing speed and make contested catches in traffic is a nightmare for secondaries. Williams, similarly, is a generational talent for Alabama, bringing his own brand of explosive playmaking to the table. Yet, while both Smith and Williams are offensive weapons of the highest caliber, Sellers’ dual-threat role as a quarterback inherently allows him to influence every facet of a game’s outcome.

This distinction was a key factor for ESPN’s evaluators, who noted that Sellers’ fingerprints are all over every offensive snap for South Carolina. Unlike a receiver, who relies on his quarterback to deliver the ball, Sellers is the maestro orchestrating every play. His ability to read defenses, audible at the line, and make decisions in real-time makes him a uniquely impactful figure in the flow of a game. It’s this level of control and influence that propelled him to the top of ESPN’s rankings, ahead of even the most dynamic skill-position players.

The recognition of Sellers also comes in the context of South Carolina’s place in the broader college football landscape. The Gamecocks have long battled for respect in the brutal SEC, a conference loaded with powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. Yet, with Sellers under center, there’s a growing belief that South Carolina could emerge as a legitimate contender in 2025. Sellers’ ability to single-handedly keep his team in games against more traditionally dominant opponents has redefined the program’s ceiling. His presence has not only raised expectations but also forced national pundits to take notice of the Gamecocks as a dangerous sleeper in the SEC race.

It’s this kind of gravitational pull—the ability to change the narrative around an entire program—that truly defines what it means to be the Most Impactful Team Player. Sellers doesn’t just make plays; he changes the way people view South Carolina football.

Of course, Sellers’ ascendance to this spot wasn’t overnight. His journey has been one of steady growth and relentless improvement. Originally a highly touted dual-threat prospect out of high school, Sellers had to wait his turn behind veteran quarterbacks early in his career. Rather than growing frustrated, he used that time to refine his mechanics and absorb the nuances of the college game. By the time he got his opportunity to start, Sellers was a fully-formed leader, ready to seize control of the offense and the locker room alike.

That patience and dedication to his craft are part of what sets Sellers apart from even the most talented players in college football. While raw talent is a prerequisite for stardom at this level, it’s Sellers’ willingness to outwork everyone around him that has elevated him to the top of the Most Impactful Team Player rankings. His commitment to film study, weight training, and building relationships with his teammates is the foundation upon which his success has been built.

It’s also worth noting how Sellers stacks up against other high-profile quarterbacks in the rankings, such as Texas’ Arch Manning and Collins Simons. Manning, the highly celebrated prospect from the legendary Manning family, has shown flashes of brilliance with the Longhorns. His arm talent and football pedigree make him a natural leader and a focal point for Texas’ offense. Similarly, Simons has emerged as a potent dual-threat weapon for Texas, giving Steve Sarkisian a dynamic one-two punch at the position.

Yet, despite the hype surrounding these quarterbacks, Sellers has managed to distinguish himself through a unique combination of production, leadership, and the ability to galvanize an entire roster. While Manning and Simons have no doubt been impressive, the consistency with which Sellers elevates the players around him is what sets him apart in the eyes of ESPN’s evaluators.

Leonard Moore and Sam Leavitt of Notre Dame, meanwhile, have been instrumental in the Fighting Irish’s resurgence in recent seasons. Moore, a shutdown corner with a knack for turning defense into offense, has been a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s secondary. Leavitt, a rising quarterback with impressive poise, has been the engine behind the Irish’s offense. Together, they have formed a formidable tandem that has Notre Dame poised for a run at the College Football Playoff.

However, even with their considerable impact, neither Moore nor Leavitt can match the all-encompassing influence Sellers exerts on both sides of the ball for South Carolina. Quarterbacks have always had an outsized role in college football, but Sellers’ ability to shape the Gamecocks’ identity and culture makes his impact even more profound.

As ESPN’s report emphasized, the Most Impactful Team Player award isn’t simply about statistics or highlight-reel plays. It’s about the ability to make those around you better, to raise the collective level of your team in moments of adversity, and to set the standard for excellence in the locker room. By that metric, Sellers has been unmatched heading into the 2025 season.

The coming year promises to be a defining chapter for Sellers and the Gamecocks. Expectations are higher than they’ve been in years, and with Sellers at the helm, South Carolina has a legitimate chance to contend for the SEC title. His connection with his offensive playmakers—like top receiver Nyck Harbor and running back Mario Anderson—has grown stronger with every practice. The coaching staff has tailored the offensive scheme to maximize Sellers’ strengths, creating a perfect storm for the Gamecocks’ most explosive offense in years.

Yet, beyond the X’s and O’s, what truly makes Sellers’ impact so significant is the belief he inspires in everyone around him. College football is a sport that thrives on passion and emotion, and Sellers has tapped into that intangible quality that can turn good teams into great ones. It’s why ESPN’s decision to place him above stars like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams speaks volumes about Sellers’ unique place in the sport.

Sellers’ journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of leadership. In an era when quarterbacks are often judged by their highlight reels and NIL deals, Sellers has remained focused on the fundamentals: preparation, execution, and uplifting those around him. It’s that focus that has made him the face of South Carolina’s resurgence and the Most Impactful Team Player in all of college football.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sellers to see if he can continue this upward trajectory. If his past is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. Sellers has already proven that he has the tools to be a game-changer on Saturdays. Now, he’ll look to cement his legacy as the player who elevated South Carolina into the national spotlight—and who inspired his teammates to believe that anything is possible.

In a sport driven by narratives and legacies, LaNoriss Sellers has emerged as the kind of story college football fans love to rally around. His Most Impactful Team Player honor isn’t just a reflection of his talent; it’s a recognition of his leadership, his resolve, and his unwavering belief in his team. And as long as Sellers is wearing a South Carolina uniform, there’s no limit to what the Gamecocks can achieve in 2025 and beyond.