Spencer Rattler explains why he returned to South Carolina for 2023

Spencer Rattler returned to South Carolina for his fifth season at the collegiate ranks — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Several factors played into his ultimate decision, but the feeling of unfinished business left a bad taste in his mouth following the Gamecocks’ 8-5 season that ended with a tough 26-14 loss to Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl.

“We left some things on the table throughout the season that myself and Juice [Antwane Wells] wanted to reach and achieve,” Rattler said. “We both could have taken that next step to the next level and been okay, but I think coming back was the right decision. Coach Dowell [Loggains] is here, he obviously has a lot of experience in the league, so being with him for a whole year will be great.

“I love this team, I love this program and I want to keep achieving more and more with this guy.”

Rattler blossomed for South Carolina throughout the 2022 season, and Loggains is looking to expand upon what worked. According to the Gamecocks quarterback, his new offensive coordinator has communicated well since taking his talents to the program — and it has translated through the entire offense.

After transferring from Oklahoma, Rattler went on to start all 13 games for South Carolina last season. His first season in Columbia saw him complete over 66 percent of his passes and threw for 3,012 yards. He tossed 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. 

With Rattler at the helm, he helped lead Carolina to a pair of top 10 wins against Tennessee and Clemson to close the regular season. Rattler had arguably his best performances in those games, going a combined 55-of-76 passing for 798 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wells, who arrived as an FCS transfer from James Madison, caught 68 passes for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s expected to have an even greater role in 2023.

Still, Rattler and Wells’ ultimate decision to return for another season of Beamer ball wasn’t one they made by themselves. It was discussed between the two, and neither regret their decisions.

“It’s definetely great to have a guy like him come back and you come back and vice versa. I don’t think our decision was based on each other,” Rattler said. “Maybe him more than me because I’m a quarterback and he wants to know he has a quarterback. But we definetely talked about it, we came to the right decision — it wasn’t a joint decision — but we were definetely on the same page.”