Spencer Rattler details what he learned from transferring away from Oklahoma to South Carolina

As he arrived in Mobile to compete in the Senior Bowl, Spencer Rattler reflected on his college journey from Oklahoma to South Carolina. A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 class, Rattler began his career with the Sooners with high expectations.

It started out well as he led OU to a Big 12 Championship in his first season as a starter. However, things went awry after a slow start to his sophomore season and ended with Rattler being benched in the Red River Rivalry against Texas. He decided at the end of the year that he needed a fresh start, joining Shane Beamer in Columbia.

It’s now how he would have written his story coming out of high school, but he’s learned plenty of valuable lessons from how things played out.

“I would’ve said, ‘you’re crazy.’ I never thought South Carolina was any idea coming out of high school,” Rattler told On3‘s Andy Staples. “But as you grow, as opportunities arise as you go through adversity, that was something that popped up and it was a great move for me.”

In fact, Rattler believes some of the criticism he faced may have helped him develop a thicker skin, which could be helpful in the NFL. Oklahoma fans were rather relentless during the quarterback’s struggles, chanting for Caleb Williams to come in and replace him during some of the games.

Rattler doesn’t hold any grudges as he realizes that’s simply a part of what players have to deal with. It will be at another level in the pros, but he believes he’ll be ready.

“It’s part of the game, especially as a quarterback I’m not the first guy to go through it,” Rattler said. “I’m blessed to be able to go through it earlier in my career because that happens in the NFL a lot. So I’m ready for whatever.”

Rattler put up impressive numbers in two seasons at South Carolina to finish with 6,212 yards passing, 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He led the Gamecocks to a combined 13-12 record.

More importantly for his NFL career, however, Rattler proved his ability to pick up multiple different systems and play well in them. That’s yet another skill he believes will be of use in the NFL.

“I just learned how to acclimate into new systems, acclimate with new teammates and a new environment,” he said. “Everything new. All the way out there on the East Coast. I enjoyed it a lot. Had to gain trust and respect from my teammates and learn how to do that.”

Rattler isn’t one of the top prospects in the draft, probably something he also didn’t envision when he began college five years ago. However, he still hasn’t lost his belief in himself.

If what he’s gone through has proven him anything, it’s that he has what it takes to overcome adversity. He’s going to approach the next few months determined to prove to NFL scouts that he still has what it takes to succeed at the next level.

“I can show them I’m one of the best quarterback in this draft,” he said. “I can make every throw on the field. I’m a quick processor, fast learner. I can understand multiple offensive systems and get it done. That’s what I want to show throughout these next few months.”