Shane Beamer evaluates Spencer Rattler’s development

Shane Beamer was very proud of Spencer Rattler’s development from Oklahoma to South Carolina. Rattler was up and down in his career but might’ve finally figured it out with the Gamecocks and Beamer.

Beamer joined Next Up with Adam Breneman and spoke about the transition from one school to another, in addition to Rattler’s adversity. It seems like all of the pieces are in place.

“Spencer and I were together at Oklahoma for a couple of years,” Beamer said. “He was behind Jalen Hurts and we won a Big 12 Championship. He got to see Jalen Hurts come in from Alabama and transfer in and how he handled that situation. Early in Spencer’s career as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma, he dealt with some adversity. We started out 0-2 in the Big 12 in 2020 with Spencer as our starting quarterback. That doesn’t happen at Oklahoma. You’re not supposed to lose a conference game much less back to back to start the year. We lost to Kansas State at home. And then we lost to Iowa State on the road. 

“Then we play Texas in Dallas, and Coach (Lincoln) Riley takes him out of the game in the first half because he wasn’t playing well. He puts him back in in the second half. We beat Texas I think in four overtimes, don’t lose a game the rest of the year, win the Big 12, beat Florida in the Cotton Bowl.”

Beamer then acknowledged Rattler received a lot of hype after a hot end to that season at Oklahoma.

“Spencer’s preseason, Heisman preseason, number one, pick all this stuff and then 2021 doesn’t go the way that he wants it to go,” Beamer said. “So he had dealt with adversity before and I knew him as a person. So I knew what we were getting when we brought him in here. And that’s what I’ve seen. A guy that’s dealt with adversity before and became stronger because of it. He’s a really good teammate, and a super talented guy. That’s a great person.

Beamer was elated about Rattler’s development on and off the field from Oklahoma to South Carolina.

“First and foremost comes from a great family,” Beamer said. “I think the biggest thing I’ve seen with him that’s grown is just his comfort level here is confidence in what we’re doing. Confidence in himself has continued to grow. Leadership, you know, I really feel like last year just, he hadn’t played a game at South Carolina and he was still learning what was going on and learning his teammates.

“Now, I think he’s very comfortable. He’s very confident and his leadership skills have grown. I’m excited to see what he does and 2023 and he took a lot of crap (leading up to this).”