LaNorris Sellers Surges in College Football QB Rankings After Big Wins

LaNorris Sellers has climbed back into the national conversation after a strong three-game stretch for South Carolina. The quarterback jumped eight positions in this week's College Football QB Power Rankings to reach No. 18. This surge comes after the Gamecocks defeated Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma on the road and at home.

Sellers' performance against Oklahoma stands out. He accumulated 397 passing yards and five touchdowns in that contest. South Carolina became the first team to record more than 500 total yards against the Sooners since 2023. The victory marked the third straight win for the Gamecocks, including a road trip to Gainesville and a home win over then-No. 11 Tennessee.

The numbers for Sellers have improved dramatically in recent weeks. In the first four games of the season, he accounted for seven total touchdowns as a passer and runner. Over his last four contests, that total has risen to 15. Despite this late surge, his season statistics remain modest. He currently ranks 46th in EPA per dropback and 61st in passer efficiency for the year.

Sellers' rise pushed other quarterbacks down the list. Josh Hoover of Indiana fell from No. 13 to No. 28. Hoover struggled during Indiana's victory over Minnesota. Anthony Colandrea of Nebraska also saw a major drop. He fell out of the top 50 after a poor performance in Nebraska's loss to Washington.

Darian Mensah of Miami holds the top spot in the rankings for the second straight week. The Duke transfer led six scoring drives in Miami's 38-35 win over North Carolina. He finished the game 22 of 29 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Mensah leads the nation in passer efficiency and is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with 25.

Gio Lopez of Wake Forest sits at No. 2. He played less than three quarters in the 51-7 rout of Virginia but still recorded 229 passing yards and 64 rushing yards. Lopez ranks second in EPA per dropback among Power Four quarterbacks with at least five games and 50 pass attempts. He is also No. 8 nationally in total yards per game.

Braden Atkinson of Oregon State is third. He threw for 373 yards and one touchdown in a loss at Fresno State. The Mercer transfer leads the FBS in passing yards with 2,977 and is tied for first in passing touchdowns with 25. He has been intercepted only twice on 332 attempts this season.

Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State remains at No. 4. He tied his season high with five touchdown passes in a 51-49 loss at Iowa State. Mestemaker is now tied for the national lead with 25 touchdown passes. He also ranks second in passing yards with 2,815.

Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss is fifth. He threw for 263 yards and ran for 65 more in a 45-15 win over Auburn. Chambliss said he focused on cutting the ball loose and having fun after a loss to Texas. CJ Carr of Notre Dame is sixth, while Jayden Maiava of USC is seventh after a 30-18 upset win over Ohio State.

Conner Weigman of Houston is eighth and Keelon Russell of Alabama is ninth. Russell completed 19 of 30 passes for 311 yards in Alabama's win over Texas A&M. Kenny Minchey of Kentucky is 10th. The Wildcats are 7-0 when Minchey does not throw an interception. Bear Bachmeier of BYU is 11th and Noah Fifita of Arizona is 12th.

Aidan Chiles of Northwestern is 13th. He produced 374 total yards in a loss at Oregon. Michael Hawkins Jr. of West Virginia is 14th. He has 16 rushing touchdowns and 11 passing touchdowns. Sam Leavitt of LSU is 15th after two straight games without an interception.

Lincoln Kienholz of Louisville is 16th. He ranks No. 10 in EPA per dropback. Gunner Stockton of Georgia is 17th. He rushed for 45 yards in a win over Florida. Sellers is 18th. Kevin Jennings of SMU is 19th and Devon Dampier of Utah is 20th. Dampier passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-25 win over Cincinnati.