Spencer Rattler has been under an NFL microscope since he was in high school. Now, the South Carolina football star is in his final year as a collegiate quarterback, and pundits from all over have opinions on the talented gunslinger. Thanks to his extraordinary natural talent and the way he ended the 2022 season, most 2023 expectations are high for Rattler and much of the recent analysis surrounding #7 has been positive.
Rattler’s career has seen some ups and downs, but according to Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy, the “downs” shouldn’t matter too much (yet) when discussing Rattler.
Junior tape study should be about what players CAN do, not what they can’t do.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) May 11, 2023
Every NFL scout needs to watch Spencer Rattler’s 6 TD performance vs. Tennessee this summer.
Sure, there’s things he needs to clean up but @SpencerRattler made some big-time NFL throws in that game. pic.twitter.com/OiwfejIKxJ
Nagy argues that, especially for juniors, what players CAN do is much more important than what they CAN’T do. Spencer Rattler has certainly shown the football world that he is capable of doing some incredible things with the football during his four seasons in college. His junior highlight tape from his first season at South Carolina shows a strong arm, mobility inside and outside the pocket, and a fearlessness that, if harnessed correctly, could lead him to become a big-time playmaker as a pro, as well.
Rattler’s biggest flaw has always been his decision-making. If he shows some of the progression teased by his end of 2022, the questions of what Rattler can’t do will start to fade away. Anyone who has watched him knows that he is one of the most physically-gifted quarterbacks in all of college football. If Rattler can figure out a consistency to the mental side of his game, the sky is the limit for him.
Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly wrote about how much he loves Rattler in an article for firstroundmock.com. Rattler’s focus, intensity, and physical traits remind him of Brett Favre, high praise considering Favre was an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer. The comparison makes some sense as Favre was outrageously gifted with his arm, possessed some athleticism moving around the pocket, and was an intense and emotional competitor. Once Favre figured out the mental side of the game, he dominated.
Can Rattler do the same? Every Gamecock fan in South Carolina sure hopes so.