South Carolina Quarterback LaNorris Sellers Wins FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year Award
In a surprise move, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was named the FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year, beating out Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. This announcement comes after Smith was also snubbed for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which went to Texas edge defender Colin Simmons.
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Smith’s impressive freshman season, where he broke Ohio State’s freshman receiving records with 71 passes for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns, was not enough to secure the award. Instead, the FWAA recognized Sellers’ outstanding performance as a redshirt freshman quarterback. Sellers completed 196 of 299 passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions, while also rushing for 674 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite missing out on the FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year award, Smith’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He was named a FWAA Freshman All-American and has received numerous accolades, including the Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards. Smith was also named the offensive player of the game at the Rose Bowl.
On Wednesday, Smith added another achievement to his list, being named a first-team All-American by ESPN, alongside Donovan Jackson and Caleb Downs. Jack Sawyer also received recognition as a second-team All-American.
Smith will have the opportunity to earn more hardware on Monday as he helps lead Ohio State in the College Football Playoff final against Notre Dame. In this highly anticipated matchup, Smith will face off against Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, who was named the FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year.
The stage is set for an exciting showdown between two talented freshmen, and college football fans will be eagerly watching to see how Smith and Moore perform on the biggest stage.
