UVA beats out Hokies for dual-threat QB commit out of South Carolina

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia quarterbacks coach Jason Beck and former UVA quarterback Marques Hagans really liked what they saw in high school sophomore LaNorris Sellers, enough so that they offered him a scholarship.

On Saturday, Sellers announced his commitment to the Cavaliers, becoming UVA’s first commit for the Class of 2023. While he is committed, he can’t make it official until December of 2022 per NCAA rules.

Sellers is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback out of South Florence High School in Florence, S.C., where he burst onto the scene during his recent sophomore campaign.

Sellers received his first college offer in mid-April by Washington State, and ever since more offers have trickled in.

He chose Virginia over Virginia Tech, Washington State, Appalachian State and Georgia State. Because he is only a sophomore, he will likely be bombarded by more offers over the next several months.

As a sophomore, Sellers passed for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns, combined with rushing for another 618 yards and 13 TDs. He also commands a presence in the classroom with a 4.8 GPA.

Sellers had attended several quarterback camps this year, but credits Florence quarterbacks coach Ramon Robinson for helping become a strong passer.

“I’ve learned pocket presence, and the best way to release the ball, how to release the ball, when to release the ball, putting the right touch on the ball and determining which reads I need to make,” Sellers told the Florence Morning News.

The Bruins’ head coach, Drew Marlowe, believes that Sellers has set a strong example for the rest of the team.

“We’re all really excited for him,” Marlowe said. “It helps when the best kids in your program are also the best players. That helps you build a solid program.

“He’s an outstanding student, worker and athlete. And now to put him before the rest of the team and say, ‘Look, if you want offers and want to go big time, you’ve got to do the things [Sellers] is doing. He’s a great example for everyone to follow.”

Beck, who has a good eye for quarterback talent, was excited about eventually adding another dual-threat QB to the Virginia program, that he tweeted out a photograph of Thor, swinging a weapon.

The mythical Thor has been used to describe Bronco Mendenhall’s preference for a multi-faceted quarterback, who can run and throw, something Mendenhall refers to as a “Thorterback.”

Hagans, the program’s wide receivers coach, tweeted out “Game changer on deck!!!”

By the time Sellers arrives in Charlottesville, the quarterback roster will look like this:

Iraken Armstead, who is projected as a redshirt sophomore or junior, depending on if he chooses to use the free year of eligibility the NCAA offered due to the pandemic.

Also Jacob Rodriguez, who would likely be a projected redshirt sophomore or junior, although he could possibly surprise people if he plays this season as a true freshman, and some believe he may.

Jay Woolfolk, a Richmond native who will likely be a redshirt sophomore or junior.

Davis Lane, out of Liberty Christian, will likely be a redshirt freshman or sophomore.