Spencer Rattler Summer Scouting Report

Next up on our summer scouting series, War Room Scouting goes to Norman, Oklahoma to look at Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Background

Spencer Rattler is a player that has always been accustomed to the spotlight.

Attending Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Arizona it wouldn’t take long for the varsity coaches to recognize Rattler’s talent. As Rattler was entering a new life experience as a freshman high school student he would also step in the shoes of the starting quarterback position, a feat not many freshman can embrace. With the starting opportunity earned Rattler would not look back, he would go on as Pinnacle’s lead signal caller for all 4 years of his his school career. It would be in the buildup to his senior year where he would experience his first taste of the spotlight. As Rattler was preparing for his final season as a high school quarterback so would the crew of Netflix documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights. Featured in the third season of the show, not only would the world learn of Rattler’s talents but also college football programs. As his high school career came to a close Rattler was given a 5 Star grade by 247 Sports and was rated as the #1 Pro Style quarterback in the country, #1 overall prospect in the state of Arizona, and a top 10 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class.

When it came time to making a decision Rattler would commit to Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners. With a recent surge of successful quarterbacks under Riley’s tutelage Rattler wanted to be a part of this growing lineage. With names such as Baker Mayfield (2018, Cleveland Browns), Kyler Murray (2019, Arizona Cardinals), and Jalen Hurts (2020, Philadelphia Eagles) Rattler looks to follow in their footsteps.

The 2019 season would be a learning experience for Rattler as he would back up an experienced and accomplished Alabama quarterback transfer in Jalen Hurts. While first team action wasn’t a common experience for Rattler he would have the opportunity to fill in at the end of some blowout victories. As the season concluded with a devastating 63 - 28 loss against LSU in the 2019 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Hurts would set his sights to the NFL while Rattler began to prepare his path to the starting quarterback position. Rattler participating in just 3 games would end his freshman season with 81 yards passing, 63.6 completion percentage, and 1 touchdown.

Entering the 2020 season Rattler would earn the starting quarterback job, while he experienced some early successes a valuable lesson of overcoming adversity would be seen. In Rattler’s 4th start he would be playing Texas in the prominent Red River Showdown Rivalry. Rattler experienced early struggles in the first quarter of the game leading to his eventual benching in the entire second quarter. It would be in the third quarter where Rattler retained the starting spot and never looked back. He would lead the Sooners to a thrilling 4 overtime victory, an experience that he will never forget. Rattler’s experience of adversity gave him a new sense of perspective and confidence as his play continually reached a higher standard eventually leading Oklahoma to a 9-2 record winning the Big 12 Conference and earning a spot in the 2020 Cotton Bowl. Here Rattler would play the University of Florida leading his Sooners to a decisive 55-20 victory going 14-23 with 247 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Rattler ended his first season as a starting quarterback with 3,031 passing yards, 67.5 completion percentage, 28 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His improved performances throughout the season would earn him consensus All - Big 12 honors and a Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist (an award given to the top quarterback in all of college football).

As the 2021 season approaches Rattler looks to continue his ascending play as he heads into his second year in Lincoln Riley’s potent offensive system.

Positives

Natural arm talent

The first trait that makes up the foundation of Rattler’s play at the quarterback position is his natural passing ability. Rattler’s structure as a passer can best be described as fluid and rhythmic making every throw look routine. With a quick and effective overhead release he targets and challenges different levels of the field with effective confidence, pace, and velocity. This is best seen when he attacks holes / weaknesses against zone coverages such as the seams in the middle of the field in a Cover 3 or hole shots between the cornerback and safety in a Cover 2 look. Depending on the space that is afforded to Rattler he can utilize different paces and tempos behind his passes which prove to be advantageous for his receivers. Rattler’s mixture of fluid and calculated arm talent guides him through the rest of his traits.

Throwing off platform

Paired with fluid arm talent perhaps Rattler’s best and most unique trait is his comfortability making throws on the move. Whether it being a designed rollout passing concept or taking his own initiative to move out of the pocket he displays the ability to hit his receivers off balance at a consistent rate. Rattler’s off platform throws and the torque at which he puts behind the passes through his upper body make it difficult for downfield defenders to make plays or alter his attempts. This trait is further felt in the final quarter of games as defenders slowly begin to lose concentration and phase in coverage leaving Rattler with an easier recognition of space and leverage. As the game continues to become slower for Rattler his maintained ability to make plays off unorthodox platforms gives him an immense advantage to develop into a scheme diverse and multidimensional quarterback.

Deep ball placement

With Rattler’s pace at which he throws the football also comes his understanding of touch and trajectory as a deep passer. In situations where vertical passing concepts are employed, Rattler displays the ability to put a soft but natural arc to fit passes over cornerbacks that have their backs turned to the ball. Rattler’s cognition of the vertical leverage that the opposing cornerbacks possesses allows him to lodge passes both outside the numbers and in between the seams depending on the coverage and leverage his receiver grants him. With many teams adopting vertical spread concepts within their offense (including Oklahoma) Rattler provides the template for a quarterback that carries radiant confidence and poise as a deep passer.

Negatives

Drifting at the top of his drop

While Rattler does have the unique ability and arm talent to make throws off balance, he has made this action a crutch of his play. Throughout many of Rattler carries a bad habit of disconnecting his drop from a clean pocket to make his signature off platform throws. Because of this habit he finds himself running into free pressure making routine plays more stressful. As he continues to grow in his second year under head coach Lincoln Riley’s system Rattler will need to embrace the advantage of a clean pocket to gain a meaningful and measured rhythm as a passer.

Recognition of pressure

One re-occurring weakness that has been displayed in Rattler’s play is his recognition of oncoming pressure. Situations where this is evident is when Rattler is in the process of forming his drop and does not feel an edge defender collapsing his pocket around him. As his eyes are transfixed downfield the internal awareness was not consistent enough to react and counter accordingly. When blistering pressure was applied and breached in Rattler’s interior offensive line, he lacked the consistent recognition to keep the play alive. Improving the internal clock and overall awareness against pressure for Rattler in 2021 will be crucial for his growth as a passer.

Games Watched

Oklahoma State (2020), TCU (2020), Texas (2020), Iowa State (Game 1, 2020).

Scheme Fit

Spread offense that builds itself upon deep passing concepts to fully maximize Rattler’s arm talent paired with his vertical ball placement.

Grade

1.3 (Player that falls in between 22-32).

Final Summary

Spencer Rattler is a quarterback that currently lives off his pure natural talent as a passer. With the deliberate release, pace, and confidence Rattler possesses ability to make off balance and deep vertical throws which has become a spark for the Oklahoma offense. As a second year approaches for Rattler in Lincoln Riley’s potent offensive system he will need to take advantage of clean pockets to avoid unnecessary pressure and become cognizant of blitz packages to refine the mental aspect of his play. If Rattler can show simultaneous growth in both performance and conceptual fortitude, he has the trajectory to become a top ten selection in next year’s draft class.