Early 2026 NFL Draft QB1 emerges in scout survey

The NFL is buying Sellers.

On Saturday, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that in a survey of 25 NFL scouts and executives, South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers has emerged as the top prospect at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh.

Per Thamel, Sellers received the most votes at eight, followed closely behind by LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (seven). 

"He's instinctive and the ball comes out quick," a scout told Thamel of Sellers (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), adding he has "the most potential to be an impact player."

Sellers is expected to play on Saturday against Associated Press No. 23 Missouri Tigers (3-0) a week after suffering a head injury in a 31-7 loss to No. 20 Vanderbilt Commodores (3-0). He's put up modest numbers through three games, completing 64.4% of his pass attempts for 431 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Excluding sacks, he's added 21 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Could LaNorris Sellers be selected at No. 1 overall in NFL Draft?

Among NFL teams in the top five in ESPN FPI's projected odds to land the No. 1 pick, the New Orleans Saints (12.1%), New York Jets (10.8%), Miami Dolphins (10.3%) and Cleveland Browns (10.1%) would be the likeliest to select a quarterback. The Tennessee Titans, who have the best odds at 20.8%, selected quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and would be more likely to trade the pick or select the top non-quarterback on its draft board.

Sellers has a long way to go to hearing his name called first at the 2026 draft, but if he runs the table, he'd become the third South Carolina player all-time selected first overall, joining defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (Houston Texans, 2014) and running back George Rogers (New Orleans Saints, 1981).

Sellers can begin distancing himself from his draft peers as the Gamecocks get into the teeth of their SEC schedule. Six of South Carolina's next seven games are against teams currently ranked in the AP poll, including four (Mizzou, No. 3 LSU Tigers, No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies, No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels) away from home. It hosts No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners and No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide.

For his career, Sellers is 132-of-201 (65.7%) for 1,783 yards (8.9 yards per attempt), 14 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 410 rushing yards and four additional touchdowns on 110 carries in 11 games against SEC competition. (h/t Stathead)

That dual-threat ability could make him a matchup nightmare at the next level, explaining what makes him such an attractive prospect this early in the 2026 draft process. No matter how the season ends for Sellers, he'll be under the microscope all year long.