South Carolina could turn to backup quarterback Cutter Woods against Kentucky as LaNorris Sellers faces pressure to improve his passing performance.

Sellers remains the Gamecocks' starting quarterback, but South Carolina increased Woods' first-team workload during the week, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Woods took nearly one-quarter of the first-team repetitions earlier in the week before his share decreased later on, with Sellers continuing to receive the majority of the reps. The increased work indicates the coaching staff is preparing for the possibility of using Woods if Sellers' struggles continue.

Coach Shane Beamer stressed competition to the team this week, while offensive coordinator Kendal Briles did not dismiss the possibility of Woods playing against the Wildcats.

Sellers has completed 62.1% of his passes this season, which ranks second-worst among SEC quarterbacks, ahead of only Texas A&M's Marcel Reed at 55.4%. He has thrown six touchdown passes and four interceptions while averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. His four interceptions are the third-most in the conference.

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The passing issues have contributed to the Gamecocks ranking ninth in the SEC through the air. That contrasts with South Carolina's rushing production, which leads the conference on the ground. Sellers has averaged 6.8 yards per carry and has nearly surpassed his rushing total from last season.

Woods, meanwhile, is viewed internally as the Gamecocks quarterback of the future. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore was a three-star recruit when he signed with South Carolina in 2025. He has appeared in six career games, all in relief, completing 17 of 25 passes for 161 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

His most extensive action last season came against Oklahoma, when he completed 8 of 11 passes for 69 yards and threw one interception. He also appeared against the Aggies and Coastal Carolina. Last week, Woods entered late and completed two of three attempts for 18 yards. He threw the first touchdown of his career in the Gamecocks' season-opening blowout 57-0 win over Kent State.

South Carolina enters Saturday's home matchup with Kentucky at 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play.