Imagine if you were 17 years old, and Netflix produced a reality show about you and your football team because you were that talented and legitimately merited such attention. That’s what happened to Spencer Rattler when cameras rolled for QB1: Beyond the Lights.
As you might expect from a teenager in that position, Rattler didn’t present himself in a flattering light at all times. He called out teammates, didn’t take accountability for errant throws, and came off as a bit of an entitled punk for lack of more graceful phrasing.
That was many years ago. Rattler has since weathered immense football-related adversity. He was the consensus No. 1 pro-style quarterback recruit in the country, and started for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. Some young buck named Caleb Williams — maybe you’ve heard of him — beat out Rattler, sent him to the bench, and away from the Sooners entirely when he transferred to South Carolina.
A two-time captain for the Gamecocks who battled his butt off in the SEC with an outmatched team most weeks, Rattler was my 39th-rated prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He didn’t hear his name called until Pick 150 in the fifth round. The New Orleans Saints ended an agonizing wait that seemed even longer, no doubt, since Williams (No. 1 overall) kicked off a run of six QBs drafted in the first 12 overall picks.
A decision the @Saints won’t regret!⁰⁰
Go be great, @SpencerRattler! pic.twitter.com/O4PSKFasOk
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 27, 2024
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, how Rattler handled business at age 17 apparently factored in to his draft free fall.
"It did not make him look great. And it is unbelievable how many different teams mentioned to me the image of him in that show and how they can't get it out of their heads."
Ian Rapoport on how a reality show filmed in high school is hurting Spencer Rattler now. pic.twitter.com/51n8nZA070
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 27, 2024
Well in advance of this report, on Saturday morning, Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer already had it up to here with the nonsense narrative around his recent field general:
Such a tired , lazy narrative. And bullcrap
None of the NFL teams that called me said that….And any team that thinks that clearly hasn’t done their research
He dealt w adversity at OU in a class way , came to SC , was a great player and was voted by his TEAMMATES as a… https://t.co/9w3tTgjtzD
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) April 27, 2024
Others in the media rushed to Rattler’s defense — and rightfully so.
6 QB’s in the first 12 picks of the 2024 #NFLDraft …ZERO have been taken since then!
Tells you a lot about how these teams view the rest of the QB class.
Teams are judging Spencer Rattler on a reality show in high school??? Come on…he’s matured and he’s a damn good player.
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 27, 2024
I hate this so much. Spencer has changed so much since high school and that experience made him a more self-aware, humble person. I guarantee 99% of people would regret how they looked if cameras followed them around in high school. Spencer is a good guy, great leader, and this… https://t.co/Qh9pEtR4yC
— Molly McGrath (@MollyAMcGrath) April 27, 2024
100% that staff & Spencer himself emphasized his growth & how much he has matured over the past two seasons. https://t.co/O9UqMZX3jg
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) April 27, 2024
Beamer was beaming with excitement once the Saints finally gave Rattler an NFL home:
Thanks for the amazing moments we’ve shared together since 2019 at @GamecockFB & Oklahoma
You’re a great teammate , player & person !
You got a great one @Saints -Your best 🏈 is in front of you @SpencerRattler https://t.co/32ig6fay86
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) April 27, 2024
I’ve been a huge Derek Carr defender in the past. Much of the Raiders’ struggles during his tenure weren’t really on him. You could also cut him a break for having to acclimate to a totally new situation in New Orleans last season. Now? There are no more excuses, and the selection of Rattler starts the clock on Carr’s career as a starter as he knows it in my opinion.
New Orleans did draft Fresno State’s Jake Haener in the fourth round (127th overall) in the 2023 draft, but to me, Rattler is in a different galaxy in terms of arm talent. He was a 5-star recruit for a reason. Dude can absolutely sling it.
Think Spencer Rattler will be far and away the 2nd-best Day 2 draft QB of the last decade behind Jalen Hurts. The arm talent is absurd. His pass pro was terrible in 2023. Not as athletic as the other top guys, but damn. Back foot, heavy pressure, 55+ air yards ~ in stride!? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WuMVOve8G9
— Matt Fitzgerald (@MattFitz_gerald) April 11, 2024
I feel bad for QB-needy teams who passed on Rattler if they made the shortcut of seeing the Netflix show and saying, “We’re out!” without giving him much of a second thought. Like, if the Giants and Raiders really didn’t think that highly of Rattler as a prospect? Fine. Just have a hard time wrapping my mind around how they saw him sitting on the board for so many picks and didn’t pull the trigger.
Watch the interview below that Rattler did with Kay Adams. Not exactly a bunch of softball questions. You tell me if that’s a young man who can’t carry himself the right way. I’m super bullish on Rattler. Can’t believe he fell this far.
Bold prediction time: Don’t be surprised if Spencer Rattler is starting for the Saints by season’s end. Carr will have to ball out to keep him on the bench.
