Paul Finebaum recommends Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler hit the transfer portal

After a tumultuous few days surrounding the future of the quarterback position at Oklahoma, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum provided his thoughts on what has become one of college football’s top storylines.

In Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley benched his starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of true freshman Caleb Williams. The former five-star recruit led the biggest comeback in the history of the storied rivalry, and Oklahoma left Dallas with a 6-0 record after a 55-48 win. 

Now, rumors are swirling if Rattler will depart Norman for an opportunity to play somewhere else. Finebaum thinks that is his best option going forward. 

“Spencer, nice knowing you but hit the [transfer] portal because we’ve seen this before,” Finebaum said Wednesday morning on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “It happened at Alabama when Jalen Hurts was supplanted by Tua [Tagovailoa] and of course Trevor Lawrence knocked off Kelly Bryant [at Clemson]. [Caleb Williams is] the right decision. Spencer Rattler, I hate to say it, he was the best player in the country going into the season, he’s not even the best quarterback on his team right now.”

The last few years has seen several quarterbacks transfer to other programs, although it has not fully worked out for some of the more high profile stories. JT Daniels’ move from USC to Georgia and D’Eriq King’s decision to finish his career at Miami are two examples. 

Rattler was the Heisman favorite entering the season after a standout 2020. This season he is 130-for-175 with 1,371 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Should he decide to transfer, he has three years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted in 2019, and all student-athletes are allowed an extra year of eligibility after 2020 due to COVID-19. 

On Wednesday morning, Rattler’s father Mike shined some light on what the family is thinking about the transfer option.

QB battle shouldn’t detract from OU’s goals

Of course, an in-season quarterback battle with the added layer that is the transfer portal will create distractions around a program. Oklahoma is currently sitting undefeated and firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. The last thing the program wants is quarterback turmoil to derail their chances. 

Finebaum’s colleague, ESPN’s senior college football writer Heather Dinich, offered her thoughts on the quarterback situation moving forward and what is best for the program. 

“I think Caleb Williams is the right answer here, but I’ll also say, Lincoln Riley has to make the decision that does not disrupt the rest of the season,” Dinich said. “This cannot become a distraction, and it was yesterday.”