Mel Kiper Jr. Compares LaNorris Sellers to Josh Allen Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. named reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen as a comp to potential 2026 NFL draft pick LaNorris Sellers ahead of the quarterback's second season with South Carolina.

"Josh Allen," Kiper said immediately when asked at the 8:25 mark of NFL on ESPN's Wednesday episode of First Draft if there was a player whose body type reminded him of Norris.

"I mean that big, strong, athletic, mobile, tough, hard-nosed, can do anything from a throw-the-football from any point on the field standpoint to run people over or run past them."

Kiper continued, "The problem I think that he has to work through is, the nuances of playing the quarterback position. Holding the ball a little too long, taking some sacks, relying too much on that frame. Just get the ball out a little quicker... You talk about that physical gifts that he brings to that quarterback position.

"If he develops and improves in the area I talked about, you're talking about a guy who screams one of the top picks of the draft."

ESPN draft analyst Steve Muench also previously compared Sellers to Allen's frame on a June episode of the McShay Show, and added he believes Sellers could further earn the comparison by developing his arm.

Norris completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions, while rushing for 674 yards and seven touchdowns, during his first season as a starter for South Carolina.

He turned 20 in June, making him one of the youngest players eligible to be selected in the 2026 draft and raising hopes that he will further develop as a dual threat before going pro.

Allen weighed in at 6'4.8" and 237 pounds heading into the 2018 draft as draft analysts wavered between emphasizing his frame and arm with his college career passing rate of 56.2 percent. The Bills ultimately selected him with the No. 7 pick of the 2018 draft and watched him develop into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Sellers, whose 2024 school measurements put him at 6'3" and 240 pounds, will hope to live up to the Allen comps and take the next step in his passing game in order to establish himself as a similarly high draft pick should he look to go pro in 2026.