Scouting Spencer Rattler: What’s the South Carolina QB’s 2023 NFL Draft outlook?

Spencer Rattler’s journey to being a possible 2023 NFL Draft prospect has been fairly the journey. With a powerful near his redshirt junior season (his first at South Carolina), has he reestablished himself as a premier expertise? We’ll be monitoring Rattler’s efficiency from now by way of April right here on our draft hub. Take into account it a rolling scouting report on his play (and his draft inventory).

2022 season updates

Nov. 26 (South Carolina 31, Clemson 30)

What a method for the Gamecocks to shut their 12 months. Per week after upsetting Tennessee, South Carolina snapped Clemson’s 40-game dwelling win streak. Rattler wasn’t as flawless as he’d been towards the Vols — he fired an early choose six proper into Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s arms — however he nonetheless completed 25-of-39 for 360 yards and three whole TDs (two passing, one dashing).

Nov. 19 (South Carolina 63, Tennessee 38)

The Rattler as soon as talked up as a possible first-round choose confirmed up in an enormous method throughout the Gamecocks’ blowout win. From The Athletic’s Aaron Suttles: “In whole, Rattler accomplished 30-of-37 passes for 438 yards and 6 touchdowns within the 63-38 win towards the Vols. It’s the fourth-most passing yards in a recreation by a South Carolina quarterback, and the six landing passes set a program file.

If that wasn’t sufficient, Rattler rushed for 16 yards and caught a 15-yard go to arrange a landing that put the Gamecocks forward 28-14 within the second quarter.”

What you should know

A five-star recruit and one of many prizes of the 2019 recruiting cycle, Rattler selected Oklahoma and head coach Lincoln Riley’s high-flying offensive assault. After redshirting (however taking part in sparingly in three video games) as a freshman, Rattler received the Sooners QB job in 2020, then threw for 290 yards and 4 TDs in his first begin, towards Missouri State. He and the Sooners shortly crashed again to earth, dropping their subsequent two video games to Kansas State and Iowa State, earlier than rebounding to win eight straight. Included in that run have been victories within the Huge 12 championship (over Iowa State) and Cotton Bowl (over Florida). Rattler completed the 12 months with 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

It wasn’t sufficient to carry his beginning job by way of 2021, although. Within the Sooners’ sixth recreation, a dramatic 55-48 win over Texas, Riley benched Rattler in favor of Caleb Williams. That order caught: Williams as QB1, Rattler as QB2. Then, in late November, Riley departed to take the USC job, and Williams later adopted him to the West Coast. Rattler, in the meantime, transferred to South Carolina. There, he reunited with Shane Beamer, previously Oklahoma’s assistant head coach (2018-20).

Preseason scouting report

Rattler, ranked No. 7 on Dane Brugler’s record of the highest draft-eligible underclassman, is getting a recent begin in Columbia after his time in Oklahoma. Whereas he did present flashes of top-tier arm expertise that led to his excessive rating as a recruit, his play and decision-making have been frustratingly inconsistent, resulting in Rattler dropping the beginning job midseason to Williams (who’s now at USC) and his subsequent switch.

If Rattler shows extra polish in his play and chops down on his errors whereas taking part in within the SEC, NFL groups can be greater than keen to wager on the “wow” throws which have cropped up in his profession. But when he continues his sporadic play outdoors the confines of a Lincoln Riley offense to prop him up, then that gamble turns into far much less appetizing for NFL entrance workplaces to make. — Nate Tice

(Photograph: Jeff Blake / USA Right this moment)