South Carolina must find help for Spencer Rattler on offense

If South Carolina wants to succeed in 2023 — Specer Rattler needs some help, according to On3’s JD PicKell.

“I think it has become kind of a trendy thing to blame Spencer Rattler,” PicKell said. “Whenever things don’t go well for South Carolina, the fingers get pointed right toward Spencer Rattler. I’m here to tell you that’s totally unfair. He’s had his fair share of mistakes and mishaps on that field. I don’t think it’s irresponsible, but it’s incomplete.”

For Rattler, he was benched in favor of Caleb Williams at Oklahoma — and PicKell believes that has created a narrative that has followed Rattler throughout his career. It’s easy to blame Rattler if things start to go south for the Gamecocks.

Some of that isn’t even Rattler’s fault. Woes on the offensive line led the former five-star recruit to be sacked seven percent of the time in 2022. That totals out to roughly 2.5 times a game and 31 times as a whole last year.

The running game didn’t help Rattler’s case, either. Half of the time, the Gamecocks had a tight end (Jaheim Bell, who is no longer with the program) in the backfield thanks to a litany of injuries throughout the running back room. South Carolina has to develop a better identity at running back — but that’s easier said than done after losing last season’s top running back Marshawn Lloyd to the transfer portal.

The running back room totaled 114 yards per game — good for 102nd in the country.

“So you have a quarterback, and you’re telling me that you’re not going to protect him. You’re not going to help him in the run game — but it’s still his fault when things don’t go well?” PicKell asked. “Last year at SEC Media Days, I remember clear as day Shane Beamer walking out to the podium and saying that we can’t ask Spencer Rattler to be Superman.

“We cannot put everything on his shoulders. No run game, no protection. It sounds like everything is on his shoulders.”

When it comes to 2023 for South Carolina, Rattler should have all the weapons he needs out wide. Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells speaks for himself, while transfers Trey Knox, Josh Simon and Eddie Lewis have all been singled out by head coach Shane Beamer throughout the offseason as potential impact players in 2023.

That means the question remains — who will step up for the Gamecocks in the trenches?