South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers supports a former high school student with NIL funds.

In a world where college athletes are finally reaping the financial rewards of their on-field efforts through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, one quarterback in Columbia, South Carolina, is choosing to use his success not just for personal gain—but for profound good.

LaNorris Sellers, the standout quarterback of the South Carolina Gamecocks, is quickly becoming known for more than just his cannon arm, leadership qualities, and breakout performances in the SEC. Now, he’s earned a different kind of respect—one not measured in touchdowns or trophies. Sellers is using a portion of his NIL earnings to support a former classmate and high school friend who faced a daunting challenge: affording college after losing both parents in a tragic accident.

The story of Sellers and his former classmate, Tyree Marshall, is a modern-day tale of brotherhood, loyalty, and purpose. And in an era of collegiate sports dominated by stats and sponsorships, it’s a reminder that real champions lead with their heart.

Sellers’ journey began in Florence, South Carolina, where he starred at South Florence High School. A gifted dual-threat quarterback, he dazzled fans and coaches alike with his ability to extend plays, make pinpoint throws, and keep his composure in the biggest moments. By his senior year, Sellers was a local legend. But what many didn’t see was the tight-knit circle of friends who supported each other amid life’s challenges.

One of those friends was Tyree Marshall, a quiet but driven student who excelled academically. While Sellers chased football glory, Marshall balanced schoolwork with a part-time job at a grocery store to help his grandmother pay the bills. The two shared a few classes and often studied together, building a bond that went beyond football and academics.

In the summer before their senior year, Tyree’s life was upended. His parents—both hardworking middle-class citizens in Florence—died in a car crash while returning from a weekend trip. The loss left Tyree and his younger sister, Ayana, in the care of their elderly grandmother, who lived on a fixed income.

“I remember the day he told me,” Sellers said in a sit-down interview this spring. “He didn’t cry. He didn’t flinch. He just sat there, quiet. I’ve never seen that kind of strength in someone our age.”

The tragedy rallied the Florence community, and South Florence High School held fundraisers to support Tyree’s family. Still, the weight of grief—and the uncertainty of the future—weighed heavily on him. College seemed out of reach. Tyree had always dreamed of attending the University of South Carolina to study biomedical engineering, but tuition and living costs loomed like an immovable mountain.

Fast forward to 2024. Sellers, now the starting quarterback at South Carolina, had just completed a redshirt freshman season for the ages: 2,274 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 655 rushing yards, and seven scores on the ground. His breakout earned him the SEC Freshman of the Year and national accolades.

With success came opportunity. NIL collectives like Garnet Trust lined up, offering Sellers over $2 million in endorsements and deals. Red Bull, local car dealerships, apparel brands, and even national fast food chains jumped aboard. He was suddenly one of the highest-valued players in the SEC.

But unlike some athletes who immediately upgrade their cars, wardrobes, and living situations, Sellers took a different approach. He remembered a promise he made years ago—to never forget where he came from and to look out for the people who supported him when no one was watching.

So he picked up the phone and called Tyree.

“I didn’t expect anything,” Marshall said. “I thought he was just checking in. Then he said, ‘I want to help you get to college.’ I was speechless.”

Through Garnet Trust’s NIL platform and a partnership with a local nonprofit, Sellers committed $50,000 of his NIL earnings toward a scholarship fund in Tyree’s name. The money covered tuition, housing, meal plans, books, and even a laptop for Tyree’s freshman year at South Carolina.

Sellers made it clear: this wasn’t a loan or publicity stunt. There were no media crews. No announcement on social media. No requirement for Tyree to make public appearances or endorse any product. It was simply one friend helping another.

“I didn’t do it for attention,” Sellers explained. “I did it because it was the right thing to do. I’ve been blessed. It’s only right to pass that blessing on.”

Sellers’ generosity didn’t stop at Tyree. Inspired by the experience, he quietly began working with the university’s community outreach office to establish a fund that helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds transition to college. Dubbed “Next Play: The Sellers Initiative,” the fund has already raised an additional $30,000 through private donors and matching contributions from NIL partners.

Meanwhile, Tyree is thriving. Now a freshman at USC, he’s maintained a 3.8 GPA, joined the Black Engineers Society, and was recently awarded a summer research internship. He’s also become a peer mentor for local high school students considering college.

“I owe it all to LaNorris,” Marshall said. “He didn’t just help me financially. He gave me belief when I had none left.”

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has long praised Sellers for his leadership, but even he was taken aback by his quarterback’s quiet act of charity.

“We talk about character all the time,” Beamer said. “LaNorris doesn’t just talk about it—he lives it. What he did for Tyree is bigger than any touchdown he’ll throw this season.”

Beamer added that Sellers’ example is already having a ripple effect inside the locker room, where other players have started exploring ways to give back through NIL.

“It’s about building a legacy,” Beamer said. “And Sellers is building one of the best.”

Sellers’ story is a powerful counter to the criticism that NIL turns athletes into mercenaries. While there are concerns about fairness and recruiting violations in the NIL era, cases like Sellers’ reveal the transformative potential of athletes having agency over their finances.

In a recent panel discussion hosted by the SEC Network, sports economist Dr. Lauren Blackwell pointed to Sellers as a case study.

“Here’s a 20-year-old kid doing more with his money than most CEOs,” Blackwell said. “He’s reimagining what it means to be a college athlete—not just a brand ambassador, but a community leader.”

What makes Sellers’ gesture even more remarkable is how private it was. The story only surfaced after USC’s student newspaper caught wind of it through Tyree’s nomination for a campus philanthropy award.

“That’s the kind of man he is,” said Emily Franklin, a USC academic advisor. “No press release. No fanfare. Just integrity.”

When asked if he’d do it again, Sellers didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely,” he said. “If I can help one more kid like Tyree, I will. Football gave me a platform. I’m going to use it.”

On the field, Sellers is entering the 2025 season with high expectations. The Gamecocks are projected to contend for the SEC East title, and Sellers is on several preseason watchlists, including the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards. But whether or not he wins hardware, he’s already left a legacy that will endure long after the final whistle.

And for Tyree Marshall, the boy who once feared his dreams were gone, the future is finally bright.

“Someday I’ll pay it forward too,” he said. “That’s what LaNorris taught me—that we all have a responsibility to lift someone else up.”

In a time when college sports can feel like big business, it’s stories like this that remind us why we love the game. It’s about more than stats or contracts. It’s about heart. It’s about community. And it’s about young men like LaNorris Sellers, who understand that true greatness lies not just in winning—but in giving.