Barrett, Sellers and Smith to represent South Carolina at SEC Media Days

The South Carolina Gamecocks will head to the 2025 SEC Media Days with three high-profile representatives who embody both the present and future of the program: quarterback LaNorris Sellers, linebacker Stone Blanton, and wide receiver Nyck Harbor Smith. Their selection, announced by head coach Shane Beamer this week, offers a clear message about the team’s identity going into the fall: fast, physical, and fearless.

Set to take place in Dallas, Texas, this year’s Media Days are expected to be one of the most heavily covered in recent SEC history. South Carolina’s trio brings a dynamic mix of leadership, rising star power, and SEC-tested experience that will have fans and analysts watching closely.

In a conference where every move is scrutinized and every quote can spark headlines, the choice of Media Days representatives matters. It’s a sign of trust. A glimpse into who a program leans on in the locker room, not just on the field.

Beamer explained the decision simply: “These guys represent what South Carolina football is all about. They’re elite competitors, high-character leaders, and they’ve earned the right to be the face of our team in front of the nation.”

Let’s break down what each brings to the table:

The buzz around LaNorris Sellers has only grown louder since his breakout performances last season, and now, as he steps fully into the QB1 role, he arrives at SEC Media Days with the weight of Gamecock Nation on his shoulders.

Sellers is everything Beamer has been building toward: a dual-threat quarterback with size (6’3″, 230 lbs), poise, and an explosive arm. After showing flashes in limited action as a redshirt freshman, he’s entering 2025 as one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the SEC—and potentially one of the most dynamic in the country.

Coaches rave about his football IQ and competitive edge. Teammates describe him as calm, charismatic, and demanding excellence.

He finished last season with:

• 1,685 passing yards,
• 14 TDs to 4 INTs,
• 430 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns,
• while completing 65% of his passes in seven starts.

With a full offseason as QB1, Sellers is expected to be the centerpiece of South Carolina’s offensive resurgence, and his appearance in Dallas puts him firmly in the spotlight.

“He’s not just talented,” Beamer said. “He’s mature beyond his years. He’s ready for this.”

On the defensive side, Stone Blanton represents the edge and leadership that Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White want this unit to reflect. A returning starter at linebacker, Blanton led the Gamecocks in tackles last season and has emerged as the emotional and vocal heartbeat of the defense.

A Mississippi native and former baseball standout, Blanton brings a coach’s mentality to every snap. He reads offenses instinctively, brings physicality to every tackle, and rarely comes off the field.

His 2024 numbers:

• 98 total tackles
• 9.5 tackles for loss
• 3.0 sacks
• 1 interception
• 2 forced fumbles

He enters 2025 as a preseason All-SEC second-team selection and the unquestioned captain of the defensive front seven.

“Stone is a culture guy,” said defensive coordinator White. “Tough. Smart. Consistent. He’s the kind of linebacker every SEC defense needs.”

Perhaps the most electrifying name on the Gamecocks’ roster is Nyckoles “Nyck” Harbor Smith. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound wide receiver with Olympic-level speed, Harbor Smith spent his freshman year balancing football and track—and now, with full focus on football, he’s ready to explode onto the SEC scene.

He enters 2025 as one of the most anticipated breakout players in college football. After flashing brilliance in limited action last season (21 catches, 395 yards, 4 TDs), coaches believe his development as a route runner and playmaker has reached the next level.

At Media Days, Harbor Smith won’t just draw attention for his game-breaking potential—he’ll also represent a new era of recruiting success and brand power under Beamer.

His 100m time of 10.22 seconds still turns heads. But his ability to track deep balls, high-point contested throws, and stretch defenses vertically makes him a matchup nightmare.

“He’s different,” Sellers said of his go-to target. “You’ve got to see it in practice to believe it.”

South Carolina’s presence at Media Days often reflects where the program stands in the SEC hierarchy. In previous years, the team leaned on proven seniors, graduate transfers, or vocal veterans.

This year feels different. There’s a youthful energy to the 2025 trio, but also a boldness—a sign that Beamer is fully confident in the rising stars he’s developed.

It also shows the Gamecocks believe they’re ready to compete now, not two years from now. Sellers and Harbor Smith could both be NFL draft picks in the near future. Blanton might be one of the SEC’s best linebackers this fall. These aren’t just leaders—they’re potential difference-makers in big-time games.

“We’re not sneaking up on anybody,” Beamer said. “We know what’s ahead of us. These guys are why we believe we’re ready.”

Taking the stage in Dallas is about more than sound bites. It’s a test of poise, maturity, and brand image. Coaches want players who can represent the program’s values and navigate the national spotlight with composure.

All three Gamecocks have already shown comfort in high-pressure situations. Now, they’ll face the media gauntlet: dozens of interviews, national TV segments, and countless questions about expectations, rivalry games, and what it’ll take to get over the hump in the SEC East.

They’ll be asked about:

• The team’s depth at key positions
• Shane Beamer’s leadership
• The upcoming showdown with Georgia
• Whether South Carolina can win 9+ games
• The progress of the offensive line
• NIL dynamics and personal brand growth

And through it all, they’ll be expected to own the moment—a chance to elevate the program’s profile nationally.

Entering year four under Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks find themselves at a crossroads. After back-to-back winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, last year’s 6–6 finish was seen as a setback, albeit one impacted by injuries and a brutal schedule.

But with returning talent, a retooled coaching staff, and a top-15 recruiting class, expectations in Columbia are once again trending upward. SEC Media Days gives Beamer & Co. a platform to reset the narrative and show the rest of the league that South Carolina isn’t just building—they’re ready to compete now.

Sending LaNorris Sellers, Stone Blanton, and Nyck Harbor Smith to SEC Media Days isn’t just a PR move—it’s a reflection of South Carolina’s new identity.

Smart. Fast. Fearless.

These three Gamecocks represent the future of the program, and if their presence in Dallas is any indication, that future may arrive sooner than expected.

As Shane Beamer put it best:

“We’ve got something special here. And these three guys? They’re leading the charge.”