JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 30, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

2024 NFL Draft QB1: Spencer Rattler

June 21, 2023 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

Reading Time: 3 minutes

On November 19, 2022, the rest of the football world fell back in love with South Carolina quarterback (QB) Spencer Rattler as he lit up No. 5 ranked Tennessee 63-38.

Spencer Rattler is in his bag.

🖐 TDs on the night vs. No. 5 Tennessee pic.twitter.com/DPM2FS11rO
— ESPN (@espn) November 20, 2022

However, loving Rattler was nothing new for me.

I have loved him all along…from the first time I studied him on his 2020 game film. I loved him again on his 2021 game film.

In this article, I’ve studied another six games, bringing the total I’ve evaluated him to 19 games over three seasons.

My take on Rattler has never changed.

If I was hired to be an NFL General Manager after the season ends, this is who I want to build my team around based on what I’ve seen so far.

Fierce Competitor

Rattler has a real edge to him, and it is that edge that separates him from the rest of this draft class.

He’s like a modern-day Brett Favre (Hall of Fame QB).

The name of the game is winning championships, and Rattler has something none of the other prospects have.

He’s got a very real chip on his shoulder, and ice in his eyes.

Those two factors will override his weaknesses and carry him a long way in the National Football League.

Handling adversity

NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 16: Head coach Lincoln Riley walks the field with quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 and quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners before a game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-31. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

I also like how Rattler handled the political meltdown at Oklahoma when he was benched by the Head Coach there at that time, Lincoln Riley.

The decision was made to go with QB Caleb Williams instead, and both Riley and Williams have moved on to USC.

I say ‘political’ because at the time Rattler was benched against Texas in 2021, he had led Oklahoma to a 5-0 record and had completed 76.9% of his passes.

Rattler responded by transferring to South Carolina, where he not only adapted, but he has thrived.

According to 247Sports, he was 84-122 (69%) for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final three games of the season. To put those numbers in further perspective, Williams, who is the consensus No. 1 pick by NFL media went 83-115 (73.8%) for 1,057 yards and 9 touchdowns in his final three games of the season.

Rattler is coming on strong and all this has done is cause me to love him even more.

Why?

Because going from college to the NFL is ONE HUGE ADJUSTMENT. When it comes to adjusting to a whole new city and a whole new roster, all while having his doubters and high expectations to boot, Rattler has proven he can rise back to being the cream of the crop.

Not a ‘Spencer’ come lately

Rattler’s success down the stretch last season is not something new.

He’s 23-7 as a starter and he’s completed 68.4% of his passes (2019-2022).

Having shown a sustained track record of success bolds well for Rattler at the next level.

Prior to the 2023 college football season, only 5.3% of the NFL Draft Community is seeing South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler as a first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/jJyQQFxmbF
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) June 21, 2023

#7 Spencer Rattler 6-foot-1, 215 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 5.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 21, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous article (2022: 6 games evaluated) Former NFL Scout Loves Spencer Rattler

Additional 2022 game film reviewed: Missouri, Charlotte, Texas A&M, South Carolina State, Notre Dame, and Georgia State

2022 stats: 264/399 (66.2%), 3026 yards, 18 TD, 12 INT, sacked 31 times, long-72

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Fluid athletic dual-role pro-style prospect with a strong arm with ball security concerns. High-energy. Navigates and climbs pocket well. Has mobility to escape. Shows quick reflexes. High football IQ. Inconsistent progressions. Downfield minded. Throws from the pocket or gets outside, best rolling to his right. Makes some big-league on-point throws. Passes tend to sail high and can overthrow as he puts it where only receivers have a chance. Defenders disrupted 17 passes in this block of game film (2.83 avg.). Subject to a lot of drops. Ultra-competitive nature can cause mistakes. Runner second who is productive in the 1-20 yard range. Shows football is important to him. Fiery leader.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season:

1. Continues to build on what he showed in late 2022?

2. Consistently going through progressions?

3. Drops?

4. Touchdown-to-interception ratio?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.