From Unknown to Star, Who Can Be the Next LaNorris Sellers?

Last June, nobody outside of Columbia, South Carolina was talking about LaNorris Sellers. Today, he is a preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy and considered one of the top young quarterbacks in the country. Here are three quarterbacks who have the potential to make the same type of jump during the next year.

1. C.J. Bailey (NC State)

The skinny: Bailey wasn’t supposed to play in 12 games and attempt 302 passes during his true freshman season, but after transfer Grayson McCall went down with an injury, he stepped in and showed his potential. As expected, there were some hiccups along the way, but overall, he passed for 2,413 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while completing 64.9% of his attempts. On top of that, he showcased his athleticism and dual-threat abilities with 279 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Bailey, 6-foot-6 and 210-pounds, also finished the season in style against North Carolina and East Carolina when he completed 33 of 46 passes (71.7%) for 472 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has all the tools to take the next step in 2025.

2. Austin Simmons (Ole Miss)

The skinny: There is growing buzz surrounding Simmons during the offseason, but it is mostly due to intrigue at this point as he has only completed 19 of 32 passes for 282 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions during his time in Oxford. However, head coach Lane Kiffin felt confident enough in his abilities to hand over his offense to Simmons, who is 6-foot-4 and 215-pounds, instead of finding a replacement via the transfer portal. Coach Kiffin’s offense is very quarterback friendly, so Simmons will quickly have the opportunity to shine. Plus, there is no worry about him having difficulties picking up the offense since his mental abilities equal his physical abilities as he graduated as a 19-year old back on May 10^th.