Spencer Rattler earning 'different type of respect' from teammates this season
Spencer Rattler has done nothing but amaze this year. He’s been making plays and put up stat lines that have left many in awe.
But it’s not just his play on the field that has everyone talking. His teammates have also gained a new level of respect for him.
“The command he has within the huddle, it’s a different type of respect,” Ahmarean Brown said during a Garnet Trust interview with GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark. “When you can correct somebody or show them how to do this and do that, and you go out there and back it up yourself, there’s a different type of respect you can have for somebody.”
[Become a GamecockCentral member for $1]
So far, Rattler has certainly backed up his leadership with his play. He’s completing 71.3 percent of his passes for 954 yards and four touchdowns. He has an 82.4 offensive PFF grade, which is nearly a 20-point difference from last season.
And with his ability to play well, it’s been easy for guys like Brown to follow his lead.
“When you go out there and perform the way he does, that’s a guy you want to be around,” Brown said. “That’s the guy you want to listen to, because he’s smart, he’s our quarterback. He has to be smart.”
[Win South Carolina-Mississippi State tickets]
But with the strong play comes the hype factor. Rattler ended last year on such a strong note that it gave him so much extra weight to repeat that success this year. Through three games, though, he’s been more than up to the challenge.
“Everybody’s been talking about him, everybody’s been patting him on the back. For him to go out there and continue to be who he is and not let the outside noise affect the way he plays is special,” Brown said.
“A lot of people can get caught up in the hype. Oh, everybody’s talking about me, I can just go out there and do what I want. But he’s been focused every single game and every single drive that you can see. He’s improving, he’s making the right reads, he’s not doing a little bit of stuff that he did last year. I think he’s locked in, man. He’s ready to take that next step.”
