LaNorris Sellers report details South Carolina’s backup QB plan vs. Kentucky

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers will start against No. 24 Kentucky on Saturday, but the Gamecocks’ coaching staff has shown it’s ready to turn to backup Cutter Woods if Sellers keeps struggling against the Wildcats.

Woods took nearly a quarter of South Carolina’s first-team reps early this week, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported. His share dropped later in the week, and Sellers kept the starting job for the 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff on SEC Network.

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LaNorris Sellers’ numbers this season

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) passes against the Clemson Tigers | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Sellers has completed 62.1% of his passes, the second-lowest mark among Southeastern Conference quarterbacks. Only Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (55.4%) is lower. He also has six touchdown passes and four interceptions, which ranks third-most in the SEC.

The Gamecocks are 0-2 in SEC play after a 41-34 home loss to Mississippi State and a 49-18 loss at Alabama, where Sellers threw a pick-six that put the Crimson Tide up 35-3 before halftime.

South Carolina leads the SEC in rushing, and Sellers is averaging 6.8 yards per carry under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. However, the Gamecocks rank ninth in the league in passing, and Briles’ system calls for fast decisions and easy completions.

That’s a step back for South Carolina’s starter. Sellers accounted for 25 total touchdowns in 2024, when South Carolina went 9-4 and was in College Football Playoff contention.

“LaNorris Sellers is really struggling at quarterback, and I’ve been told by sources there’s a possibility if those struggles continue, he could be replaced in-game today by backup Cutter Woods,” Thamel said Saturday on College GameDay.

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Who is Cutter Woods?

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Cutter Woods (12) passes against the Kent State Golden Flashes | Blake-Imagn Images

Woods is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback from Westside High in Anderson, S.C., where he led the Rams to their first state title in 2023. He signed with South Carolina as a three-star prospect in the 2025 class, and Thamel reported the staff sees him as its future starter.

The Anderson native has played in six career games, all in relief, and has completed 17 of 25 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception. This season, he’s 9 of 14 for 92 yards, and his touchdown pass came against Kent State. He most recently played late in the loss at Alabama.

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Beamer, Briles stress quarterback competition

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer runs onto the field | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer wouldn’t say Tuesday which quarterbacks took first-team reps. “We’re always competing in practice, and that’s at every single position,” Beamer said.

Briles didn’t rule out Woods playing Saturday. “Yeah, there’s always a chance,” Briles said Wednesday. “If we feel like that was what gave us the best chance to win the game, then that’s what we’re going to do.”

Kentucky (3-1) won 31-21 at Texas A&M earlier this season, but South Carolina has won the last four meetings, including a 35-13 home win last season.

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