South Carolina Football: Spencer Rattler called “most important” player in the country

There is no true MVP in college football. A “most valuable player” trophy does not exist, but a variety of other awards do. Most of those honors are awarded to the “top” player at a particular position or on a particular side of the football. South Carolina football has a couple of players who could be in contention for those awards this season (especially wide receiver Xavier Legette).

However, if one takes a look at true player value, the Gamecocks also might have the most valuable player in all of college football.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler has been phenomenal this season despite playing behind a struggling (and injured) offensive line unit, not having much of a running game to back him up when his team has the football. Oh, yeah. The Gamecocks also rank in the bottom-10 nationally in total defense so far this season.

Still, Rattler has played remarkably well. His South Carolina football team is just 2-2, but their two losses have come on the road against the #1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and in a neutral site matchup with undefeated, top-20 North Carolina.

Because the record isn’t great, many national pundits have not paid enough attention to Rattler’s performance. However, there are some who are coming around on the greatness of #7.

On Thursday, Jake Crain of the national sports show Crain & Company spoke highly of the Gamecock signal-caller. In a video that was watched over 3000 times in its first 30 minutes after posting, Crain called Rattler the “most important” player to his team in the entire country.

The national talking head (who happens to be an Auburn fan) had strong praise for Spencer Rattler and laid out a very good argument for why Rattler is the most important player in the country.

He also has noticed something of which many around college football have turned a blind eye: Spencer Rattler has grown as a player, but he has also grown as a person and leader.

The Gamecock gunslinger has become one of the best leaders in college football, and has made himself into a much better NFL Draft prospect. As Crain put it, Rattler’s success has come “not just by carrying the team but how he carries himself.”