Shane Beamer breathes some fresh “air”, as South Carolina’s latest chapter feels like something out of a Hollywood script. LaNorris Sellers, the SEC Freshman of the Year and South Carolina’s resident game-changer, less than a month after he zig-zagged his way to scoring the game-winning touchdown against Clemson, he got an idea to talk some big moves. After that, he has just inked a massive NIL deal that practically screams, “He’s the guy.” But as the ink dries on that deal, Shane Beamer is proving he’s not one to settle for easy narratives, adding another chess piece to the board with the arrival of 247Sports ranked, No. 7 QB in his class from the portal of happiness.

This week the Gamecocks fished for Air Noland, a freshman from Ohio State. Critical for the SC (9-3) who will be without their two current backup QBs next season. And this is what ABC Columbia’s, Chaz R Frazier, saw and posted on X in the HC’s post-training interview clip, questions on landing QB Air Noland out of the portal. Shane Beamer, never one to shy away from competition, addressed the media with a candid take on the newest addition. “I didn’t promise Air anything but the opportunity to compete,” Beamer told reporters on Friday. “Credit to him, all he wants is an opportunity to compete. There were quarterbacks that were very interested in South Carolina last year because of Spencer Rattler, that wanted to come here but ended up going to other schools and started (at QB) in Power 4 conferences.”

It’s a statement that speaks volumes about the culture the former Virginia Tech WR is cultivating at South Carolina. He kept going, “They didn’t come here because I wouldn’t promise them the starting job. I didn’t promise Air anything but the opportunity to compete … he saw an opportunity where he could learn under LaNorris Sellers and under coach (new offensive coordinator) Mike Shula.” Speaking of Air, although he didn’t play under Day’s Bucks, the 6-foot-2, 192 pounds will be fighting for his right. Yet, Sellers’ six-game tear to close out the 2024 season suggests the Gamecocks might already have their future locked down. As after the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, SC is going to be back up QB-less with Robby Ashford hitting the portal.

Over those six wins, LaNorris Sellers showcased a dual-threat dynamism that turned heads across the SEC. Completing 67% of his passes for nearly 1,500 yards and rushing for over 400, he accounted for 17 touchdowns in that span. By season’s end, his total stat line—2,274 passing yards, 17 touchdowns through the air, 655 rushing yards, and seven rushing scores—wasn’t just impressive; it was definitive. Sellers didn’t just lead the Gamecocks to a 9-3 finish; he solidified himself as one of the most electric quarterbacks in the nation.

Still, Beamer’s move to bring in Noland from Ohio State wasn’t about rocking the boat; it was about reinforcing it. Noland, a highly-touted freshman, arrives with a hunger to prove himself after a quieter start to his college career. What’s impossible to ignore, though, is the NIL backdrop framing this quarterback drama. The redshirt freshman’s deal with The Garnet Trust is reportedly valued at $2.7 million as per On3Sports, the highest on South Carolina’s roster. In an era where talent retention is increasingly tied to financial incentives, locking in Sellers was as much a business move as it was a football decision. For the Gamecocks, it’s a signal to recruits and fans alike that they’re serious about staying competitive in the NIL arms race.

And yet, the addition of Noland hints at something deeper. The sellers’ deal may have cemented his starting role for now, but Beamer’s recruitment of Noland ensures the pipeline remains strong. In a sport where depth is everything and injuries are always a heartbeat away, having two capable quarterbacks could mean the difference between another strong season and a playoff run. Beamer’s chessboard is set, and he’s playing to win.

Shane Beamer lets the force of ‘Air’ in

The 6 ft 3, 245-pound gunslinger, Sellers might have sold coach Beamer with his abilities. But after sitting as a backup under Rattler. He’s going to face competition in a very disciplined and mature Air. When Air Noland entered the transfer portal, it didn’t take long for South Carolina to get on his radar. According to Shane Beamer, Noland’s first contact was with Darren Uscher, the Gamecocks’ director of player personnel and recruiting. Uscher quickly looped in Beamer, asking if he remembered Noland from his high school days. Spoiler alert, Beamer did. That connection set the stage for a visit to Columbia.

Beamer shared that while he couldn’t speak directly to the Bucks transfer, he believed having Mike Shula as offensive coordinator was a major draw for the quarterback. Noland spent two days in Columbia with his family, soaking in the campus vibe and facilities. And here’s the part that caught everyone’s attention: he carried a notebook everywhere he went, jotting down notes on everything he heard during the visit.

Beamer was full of praise for Noland, calling him “very mature” and “professional.” He added, “Every position benefits from competition, and quarterback is no exception.” Beamer also acknowledged the team’s depth issue before Noland’s arrival, with just three scholarship quarterbacks in the room. “That’s scary,” he admitted.