QB situation

[CaponCrunch]

I hope I am wrong, but I've heard enough coach speak to realize that when a QB is struggling and a fanbase is calling for the backup, if the HC gaslights it or speaks in cliches and says : "___________ gives us the best chance to win", that probably means the backup is A: Not ready or B: Never will be ready.

 

[18IsTheMan]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon. Our OL is good enough now, and I think we have enough of a run threat from others that defenses can't just key on Sellers like last year when he was the only threat in the backfield. When he was a run-first or at least run-preferred QB is when he was at his best. And when he was running more, his passing was good enough. His passing is not good enough to be a primarily passing QB. Since the run threat has been largely reduced/minimized, his effectiveness has plummeted.

I was hopeful Briles could unlock something with his passing, but I think he just has to be a running QB.

 

[Piscis]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon. Our OL is good enough now, and I think we have enough of a run threat from others that defenses can't just key on Sellers like last year when he was the only threat in the backfield. When he was a run-first or at least run-preferred QB is when he was at his best. And when he was running more, his passing was good enough. His passing is not good enough to be a primarily passing QB. Since the run threat has been largely reduced/minimized, his effectiveness has plummeted.

I was hopeful Briles could unlock something with his passing, but I think he just has to be a running QB.

I really don't know. If he transitions to run first, the opposing DCs put an extra man in the box and bring the safeties up in run support and they take away the run threat. He has to at least be a reasonable passing threat to keep the defense honest. His best running seems to be when a pass play breaks down and he can break contain and take off. That is a hard scenario to create purposefully.

Sellers would be great in a triple option offense.

 

[Legal_fowl]

We are doing about as well as we can with Sellers. He's a great athlete but a poor QB and leader.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I really don't know. If he transitions to run first, the opposing DCs put an extra man in the box and bring the safeties up in run support and they take away the run threat. He has to at least be a reasonable passing threat to keep the defense honest. His best running seems to be when a pass play breaks down and he can break contain and take off. That is a hard scenario to create purposefully.

Sellers would be great in a triple option offense.

I was actually thinking about the option the other day.

 

[Piscis]

I was actually thinking about the option the other day.

I don't think changing the offense mid season is really doable. I wonder how Paul Johnson, the former Georgia tech coach who ran the triple option would do at SC? He made GT very competitive and difficult to play with that offense.

 

[rockingamecock]

Our issues extend way beyond the QB position but yes, that's part of the problem.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Now if Beamer would show the same type of spunk in dealing with the QB situation as he did with Stewart we might have something. Give Sellers some competition by giving Woods a series or two when it means something and if he's successful Sellers will become more focused and motivated with his playing time or Wood's success will lead to something better. It can't be any worse, so the "he's not ready" excuse doesn't work.

 

[Sleepyhead]

I hope I am wrong, but I've heard enough coach speak to realize that when a QB is struggling and a fanbase is calling for the backup, if the HC gaslights it or speaks in cliches and says : "___________ gives us the best chance to win", that probably means the backup is A: Not ready or B: Never will be ready.

I disagree completely. I think Beamer is unwilling to bench Sellers over loyalty and leadership reasons, not wanting to pull Sellers in these circumstances due to his pride, or a combination of the two. The other reasoning is Beamer just lacks to discernment to make the right personnel decisions, which I’m not implying is true, but is certainly a possibility. I like Beamer as a man but he’s not getting it done, bottom line. Same thing with Sellers. It’s sad the way it has played out because he’s filled the leadership role when it was his time, stayed out of trouble, been positive in the spotlight, etc. He has his degree and millions in NIL. If I was him I would transfer to a good school like WF or Duke, start a graduate degree, and try to put together a season that gets his drafted. Don’t need a hero at QB right now. Cutter seems to process quickly and seems organized. Confidence will come. Carolina needs a distributor, manager, and someone who can run an offense.

 

[JohnnySolo]

We are in bad shape for the next year or so if we don't get one from the portal. Total rebuild starting next year.

 

[Sleepyhead]

We are in bad shape for the next year or so if we don't get one from the portal. Total rebuild starting next year.

What are you talking about you’ve already got Woods, Duckworth, and that other kid coming in. They’ll probably take someone in the portal regardless. May or may not be an instant starter though.

 

[The Reel Ess]

Woods looks like the better pure passer. I'm sure his scrambling ability is nowhere near Sellers'. HBC would have tried them both under fire by now.

 

[Gradstudent_rivals30147]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon.

He keeps bee lining for the sideline now going out of bounds now to avoid hits.

He was cutting it up field in 2024, making more things happen.

If he saving hmself for his NFL career, he may want to rethink that, I wonder if his brother getting hurt has affected him as well?

 

[adcoop]

I was actually thinking about the option the other day.

Just run the offense that Spurrier ran with Connor Shaw. Read option with deep passing threat. Shaw never threw for 2500 yds passing in a year. That is right around what Sellers has passed for in 2024 and 2025. I think all the NFL and learning how to be pocket passer talk really messed this kid up. Connor Shaw wasn't a Top pick, but he got to the NFL because he protected the ball and his team was successful. Sellers got ahead of himself IMO with all the sliding like an NFL QB and hanging for way too long in the pocket. He is still doing it now. Even the pocket passers know that you have 3 seconds to make a read and get rid of the ball. In the Alabama game, I counted several plays where is back there patting the ball at about 5 seconds. I have stopped blaming the OL. Sellers is not getting rid of the ball and it's hurting us.

 

[adcoop]

I disagree completely. I think Beamer is unwilling to bench Sellers over loyalty and leadership reasons, not wanting to pull Sellers in these circumstances due to his pride, or a combination of the two. The other reasoning is Beamer just lacks to discernment to make the right personnel decisions, which I’m not implying is true, but is certainly a possibility. I like Beamer as a man but he’s not getting it done, bottom line. Same thing with Sellers. It’s sad the way it has played out because he’s filled the leadership role when it was his time, stayed out of trouble, been positive in the spotlight, etc. He has his degree and millions in NIL. If I was him I would transfer to a good school like WF or Duke, start a graduate degree, and try to put together a season that gets his drafted. Don’t need a hero at QB right now. Cutter seems to process quickly and seems organized. Confidence will come. Carolina needs a distributor, manager, and someone who can run an offense.

I don't know how you made that determination in the very few passes Woods has thrown against backups. I am not against trying Woods or someone else. However, we know absolutely nothing about Woods yet because Beamer won't play the kid.

 

[TheRoo]

Sellers very well could have a clause in his contract that he plays unless he's hurt or the game is out of reach.

 

[Johnnysurf]

It has to be asked
Is it confidence
Is it coaching/ scheme
Is it playing safe until the combine

 

[RL09]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon. Our OL is good enough now, and I think we have enough of a run threat from others that defenses can't just key on Sellers like last year when he was the only threat in the backfield. When he was a run-first or at least run-preferred QB is when he was at his best. And when he was running more, his passing was good enough. His passing is not good enough to be a primarily passing QB. Since the run threat has been largely reduced/minimized, his effectiveness has plummeted.

I was hopeful Briles could unlock something with his passing, but I think he just has to be a running QB.

sorry I disagree, my solution is to give Cutter Woods more reps with the first string in practice. Let the Sellers earn his playing time by competing for it in a fair competition. For myself, I am looking forward beyond Sellers, seen enough.

 

[RL09]

I disagree completely. I think Beamer is unwilling to bench Sellers over loyalty and leadership reasons, not wanting to pull Sellers in these circumstances due to his pride, or a combination of the two. The other reasoning is Beamer just lacks to discernment to make the right personnel decisions, which I’m not implying is true, but is certainly a possibility. I like Beamer as a man but he’s not getting it done, bottom line. Same thing with Sellers. It’s sad the way it has played out because he’s filled the leadership role when it was his time, stayed out of trouble, been positive in the spotlight, etc. He has his degree and millions in NIL. If I was him I would transfer to a good school like WF or Duke, start a graduate degree, and try to put together a season that gets his drafted. Don’t need a hero at QB right now. Cutter seems to process quickly and seems organized. Confidence will come. Carolina needs a distributor, manager, and someone who can run an offense.

I agree with you 100%, I believe Cutter Woods is more than capable of taking over the role. I am sick and tired of Beamers favoritism, which is on full display with Sellers, it's ridiculous.

 

[RL09]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon. Our OL is good enough now, and I think we have enough of a run threat from others that defenses can't just key on Sellers like last year when he was the only threat in the backfield. When he was a run-first or at least run-preferred QB is when he was at his best. And when he was running more, his passing was good enough. His passing is not good enough to be a primarily passing QB. Since the run threat has been largely reduced/minimized, his effectiveness has plummeted.

I was hopeful Briles could unlock something with his passing, but I think he just has to be a running QB.

better yet, switch Sellers to the running back position.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

Connor Shaw wasn't a Top pick, but he got to the NFL because he protected the ball and his team was successful.

CS was an accurate passer who could make plays with his arm and his legs. He once threw like 22 completions in a row...something Sellers can only dream about.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

better yet, switch Sellers to the running back position.

We did that with Syvelle Newton. Also put him on defense and STs.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

CS was an accurate passer who could make plays with his arm and his legs. He once threw like 22 completions in a row...something Sellers can only dream about.

CS was also a coach on the field with a great ability to quickly deduce/identify the situation and act accordingly - a large part of the reason SOS thought so highly of him.

 

[RL09]

CS was an accurate passer who could make plays with his arm and his legs. He once threw like 22 completions in a row...something Sellers can only dream about.

correct

 

[Go Gamecocks]

CS was also a coach on the field with a great ability to quickly deduce/identify the situation and act accordingly - a large part of the reason SOS thought so highly of him.

Yea, he understood the ball control element and the importance of moving the chains and keeping the offense on the field. He's probably the smartest QB we've ever had.

 

[SuperCock99]

At this point it’s getting so bad that the team may be better off with fans calling the shots.

 

[RL09]

My solution to the QB situation is just have Sellers play like he did in 2024. Reckless abandon. Our OL is good enough now, and I think we have enough of a run threat from others that defenses can't just key on Sellers like last year when he was the only threat in the backfield. When he was a run-first or at least run-preferred QB is when he was at his best. And when he was running more, his passing was good enough. His passing is not good enough to be a primarily passing QB. Since the run threat has been largely reduced/minimized, his effectiveness has plummeted.

I was hopeful Briles could unlock something with his passing, but I think he just has to be a running QB.

@18IsTheMan, have you compared Sellers stats from 2024 with 2025? If not, here they are. In 2024, Sellers completion rate was 65.6%, passing yards 2,534 yards, 18 tds to 7 ints, rushed for 674 yards with 7 tds. In 2025 his completion percentage dropped to 60.08%, 2437 total yards passing with 13 tds to 8 ints, with 270 yards rushing with 5 tds. From looking at these stats, the obvious stat that stands out is the dramatic decline in rushing. I think Shula may have been attempting to make Sellers more of a pocket passer in 2025, but I think something else may have occurred, defenses likely were better prepared for him the second time around. Also, his td to int ratio was not where you want it in either year.

 

[RL09]

I hope I am wrong, but I've heard enough coach speak to realize that when a QB is struggling and a fanbase is calling for the backup, if the HC gaslights it or speaks in cliches and says : "___________ gives us the best chance to win", that probably means the backup is A: Not ready or B: Never will be ready.

have you seen Cutter Woods high school stats, they are astounding, yet he isn't getting a fair opportunity due to Beamer's infatuation with Sellers. here are Wood's stats from his high school career:

• Games: 51
• Passing: 646/985 completions (65.6%), 11,225 yards, 120 TDs, 23 INT, 220.1 YPG
• Rushing: 189 carries, 655 yards (3.5 avg), 14 TDs
• Total Offense: 11,890 yards (233.1 YPG)

 

[Piscis]

have you seen Cutter Woods high school stats, they are astounding, yet he isn't getting a fair opportunity due to Beamer's infatuation with Sellers. here are Wood's stats from his high school career:

• Games: 51
• Passing: 646/985 completions (65.6%), 11,225 yards, 120 TDs, 23 INT, 220.1 YPG
• Rushing: 189 carries, 655 yards (3.5 avg), 14 TDs
• Total Offense: 11,890 yards (233.1 YPG)

Cutter was a 3 star recruit, we were his only SEC offer. VT, Wake and UVA were his only other P4 offers. He wasn't a blue chip prospect.

 

[Swifty]

Connor Shaw was a 3 star recruit, we were his only SEC offer. Georgia Tech, Stanford, Wake Forest, West Virginia, and East Carolina were his only other P4 offers. He wasn't a blue chip prospect.

 

[Sleepyhead]

Cutter was a 3 star recruit, we were his only SEC offer. VT, Wake and UVA were his only other P4 offers. He wasn't a blue chip prospect.

Recruiting rankings do matter, but you also have to be able to look past them to evaluate guys. There are so many variables throughout the process of a 17-21 year olds development.

 

[Deathstar]

My guess is the backup will transfer somewhere else and light it up there next year, like the QB at UGA. Then we will all be scratching our heads wondering why he never played when he was here.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Connor Shaw was a 3 star recruit, we were his only SEC offer. Georgia Tech, Stanford, Wake Forest, West Virginia, and East Carolina were his only other P4 offers. He wasn't a blue chip prospect.

And Sellers was headed to Syracuse because he wasn't highly sought after.

 

[Legal_fowl]

I really don't know. If he transitions to run first, the opposing DCs put an extra man in the box and bring the safeties up in run support and they take away the run threat. He has to at least be a reasonable passing threat to keep the defense honest. His best running seems to be when a pass play breaks down and he can break contain and take off. That is a hard scenario to create purposefully.

Sellers would be great in a triple option offense.

Ron Bass and Jeff Grantz type? Both ran for over 200 yards several times in the veer offense.

 

[Piscis]

And Sellers was headed to Syracuse because he wasn't highly sought after.

Thanks for helping me make my point. Sellers isn't a good QB and most college coaches could see that was going to be the case.

 

[Legal_fowl]

Thanks for helping me make my point. Sellers isn't a good QB and most college coaches could see that was going to be the case.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I have always heard that the reason he wasn't highly recruited was because of an injury that kept him out for a lot of his senior season.

 

[MathTeacher2011]

I hope I am wrong, but I've heard enough coach speak to realize that when a QB is struggling and a fanbase is calling for the backup, if the HC gaslights it or speaks in cliches and says : "___________ gives us the best chance to win", that probably means the backup is A: Not ready or B: Never will be ready.

Or the coach doesn’t have the balls to make a change.