Spencer Rattler on how he's meshed with South Carolina's quarterback room

New South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is getting used to life with the Gamecocks. Rattler began his career at Oklahoma, but after being benched in favor of Caleb Williams last season, Rattler entered the transfer portal and ultimately committed to play for Shane Beamer. Now, Rattler is looking to rebuild his stock as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

South Carolina saw a few faces at quarterback last season, but Rattler should add some stability to the position. He is expected to start for the Gamecocks, with other quarterbacks like Luke Doty and Colten Gauthier sitting and learning behind him. When asked about his relationship with the other quarterbacks in South Carolina’s locker room, Rattler said that they are competing, but that they are all close with one another.

“Yeah, I think you just be natural, be authentic,” Rattler said on how he’s meshed with the South Carolina quarterback room. “We all have a good time when we’re hanging out in the QB room, workouts, anything. We all lift together, so I mean it’s just like a natural feel. Like we’re all competing of course, trying to help each other, make each other better. But if I have any tips for the younger guys, I’m going to give it to them and try to help improve their game. And vice versa, if they see anything that I could work on, I’m open to anything. So we’re all very close. We all have a good time on the field.”

Rattler is eyeing a bounce-back season as South Carolina’s quarterback

During the 2020 season at Oklahoma, Rattler played in 11 games and completed 67.5% of his passes, throwing for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also had six rushing touchdowns. Entering last season, he was viewed as a Heisman favorite and was a serious candidate to be selected early on in the NFL Draft. But Rattler’s 2021 season did not go as planned.

A few games into the season, Rattler struggled in a game against Texas, and Williams was inserted into the game. Williams never gave the starting job back.

Last season, Rattler completed 74.9% of his passes and threw for 1,483 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding three rushing touchdowns. That is certainly not how he wanted the year to go, but it’s now in the past. Rattler will have a great opportunity to prove himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, and he will get to do so against some quality competition in the SEC.