South Carolina backup quarterback Cutter Woods received an uptick in first-team snaps this week, sources told ESPN, a sign of the willingness of the Gamecocks' staff to replace starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers on Saturday if his struggles continue.
Sellers remains the starting quarterback, but the increased reps is a tangible change that shows South Carolina is preparing for the possibility of inserting Woods.
Coach Shane Beamer stressed competition as a theme this week in front of the team, a source told ESPN. And the message to Sellers that he has to play better is clear.
Earlier in the week, Woods took nearly a quarter of the team's first-team reps, sources told ESPN. Later in the week, those first-team reps decreased as Sellers remains the starter.
The Gamecocks (2-2) are 0-2 in the SEC entering Saturday's home game against Kentucky.
Sellers has completed 62.1% of his passes this season -- second-worst among SEC quarterbacks behind Texas A&M's Marcel Reed (55.4%). Sellers has thrown for six touchdowns and has four interceptions, which is third-most in the SEC.
Woods is a talented second-year player who is viewed internally at South Carolina as the starter of the future. He has played in six games so far, all in relief, completing 17-of-25 passes for 161 yards. He has one touchdown and one interception.
South Carolina leads the SEC in rushing, and Sellers has clearly thrived in the run game in new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles' offense. He's averaging 6.8 yards per carry and has nearly eclipsed his rushing total from all last season.
It's the passing game -- SEC ranks ninth in the SEC -- where Sellers needs to improve, as Briles' offense is known for quick decisions and typically leads to high percentage options.
Sellers has failed to capture his form from 2024, when he emerged as an intriguing NFL prospect, accounting for 25 touchdowns as South Carolina went 9-4 and was in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation.