South Carolina football fans are very familiar with the Reese's Senior Bowl. Gamecocks head to Mobile every season and show out in front of scouts and other NFL personnel. Last year, cornerback Darius Rush and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens won the defensive back MVP and defensive lineman MVP at the Senior Bowl. Turning heads is what the South Carolina Gamecocks do in Mobile.
At the 2024 Senior Bowl, wide receiver Xavier Legette has had a nice showing (especially on Thursday) as he has shown the world that the speed and go-get-it ability that he showed as one of the best receivers to ever play in Columbia can translate to the next level. ESPN's Louis Riddick took notice.
@GamecockFB WR Xavier Legette had a VERY strong day. Inside. Outside, short/intermediate/deep, contested catches , run after catch…he can do all of it at a high level.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 31, 2024
However, as good as Legette has been, it has been the other South Carolina football standout who has wowed everyone in attendance.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler has been the best quarterback in attendance, and according to many who have watched #7 (wearing #2 at the Senior Bowl), the talented right arm of Rattler has been head and shoulders above the rest. According to Bleacher Report's Ray G, even when trying to watch Michael Penix and Bo Nix as the top passers at the showcase, it was Rattler who stood out above the rest.
Walked into mobile wanting to love Michael Penix and Bo Nix, and the QB that stood out the most for me was @GamecockFB QB Spencer Rattler.
— Ray G (@RayGQue) February 2, 2024
Let him land on a team where he can continue to grow and develop. I was very impressed. 📈 #SeniorBowl #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE #2024NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/kYpqzyghYa
FWAA's Kyron Samuels has rated Rattler as the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl "hands down."
Best QB performance at the Senior Bowl hands down. Spencer Rattler has been so comfortable down here this week. Letting it rip. pic.twitter.com/Hp28d5qZie
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 1, 2024
CBS Sports' Brandon Howard says that Rattler should pass Bo Nix on NFL Draft boards.
I’m taking Spencer Rattler over Bo Nix 🤷🏿♂️
— Brandon Howard (@bhoward_81) February 2, 2024
The Draft Network's Damian Parson put Rattler at the top of his list of "Biggest Winners" so far in Mobile.
My biggest winners of the week down here in mobile! pic.twitter.com/zBzrlvvHpd
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) February 2, 2024
The common theme revolving around the South Carolina football star is this: Spencer Rattler is really good, and NFL teams are realizing that the narratives surrounding the Gamecock gunslinger largely were unfounded. He has dominated on the field, impressed in his interviews, and risen up draft boards.
To paraphrase South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris, if NFL scouts like Spencer Rattler, they like him. If they don't, they'll pay the price.