If you were to tell a football fan before 2019 that the 2024 NFL Draft class would be chock full of talented quarterbacks going in the first round, then most would assume Spencer Rattler would be in that category — if he wasn't already in the NFL.
At one point, Rattler was considered a sure-thing at the quarterback position. The Phoenix native was a five-star recruit coming out of high school with a plethora of big-name schools interested in his arm. He was touted to be the next-best thing to come to the NCAA before eventually making a name for himself in the NFL.
However, things have turned out a bit differently for Rattler. The quarterback is looking to make the jump from college to the pros, and his name most certainly will be called at some point during the NFL Draft, but he's not the top-caliber prospect he once was.
Day 1 of the NFL Draft came and went without Rattler's name being taken off the draft board. It would have been more surprising had a team jumped up and nabbed him within the first 32 picks, as Rattler was projected to go well behind the top group of QBs consisting of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr.
Still, there's talent there with the South Carolina quarterback, and he could end up being one of the best sleeper picks of the draft.
Here is more on Rattler's NCAA career and what he brings to the NFL.
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Spencer Rattler scouting report
The one thing that Rattler has never lacked — outside of confidence — is arm strength. He's not the biggest guy (6-0, 211 pounds), but his throws are explosive. The ball gets onto receivers in a hurry, and more often than not, it's an accurate throw for a receiver to bring in.
Rattler has shown an ability to make throws even at the toughest of angles. No one is out here saying he can contort himself like Patrick Mahomes or Matthew Stafford, but he has those tools if needed. He can evade pressure and find throwing lines in and around defenders that other QBs can't.
The knock on Rattler is his aggressiveness, which stems from his confidence. He sometimes forces big-play throws that aren't necessarily needed, resulting in either turnovers or incompletions. While he has shown an ability to use his legs in college, his athleticism may not translate to the NFL level, leaving questions about his scrambling ability.
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Spencer Rattler stats
Rattler spent his first three seasons in the NCAA at Oklahoma. He saw limited action his first season, but then broke out as the Sooners starter in 2020. He threw for over 3,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns that season, helping the Sooners to the program's sixth consecutive Big 12 championship.
The QB entered the 2021 season as the Heisman favorite, but things fell apart for Rattler in 2021. He ended up being benched partway through the year for Caleb Williams — yes, the same Caleb Williams that went No. 1 overall to the Bears — and did not play the rest of the season. He then entered the transfer portal, joining South Carolina for the 2022 season.
With the Gamecocks, Rattler found his mojo again, throwing for over 3,000 yards and at least 18 touchdowns in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While he threw 12 interceptions in 2022, he cut that number down to eight this past season, ending his collegiate career on a high note despite South Carolina's 5-7 record.
Below is a look at Rattler's passing stats from his five seasons with the Sooners and Gamecocks:
| Year | School | Games | Comp | Att | Comp. % | Yds | TDs | INTs | Y/A | Rating |
| 2019 | Oklahoma | 3 | 7 | 11 | 63.6 | 91 | 1 | 0 | 8.7 | 155.5 |
| 2020 | Oklahoma | 11 | 214 | 317 | 67.5 | 3,031 | 28 | 7 | 10.3 | 172.6 |
| 2021 | Oklahoma | 9 | 140 | 187 | 74.9 | 1,483 | 11 | 5 | 7.9 | 155.5 |
| 2022 | South Carolina | 13 | 264 | 399 | 66.2 | 3,026 | 18 | 12 | 7.6 | 138.7 |
| 2023 | South Carolina | 12 | 275 | 399 | 68.9 | 3,186 | 19 | 8 | 8.0 | 147.7 |
| Totals | 48 | 900 | 1,313 | 68.5 | 10,807 | 77 | 32 | 8.3 | 152.2 |
Rattler also ran for 410 yards and 16 touchdowns on 297 career carries during his career. In college football, sacks are counted as negative rushing attempts, so Rattler's scrambling numbers could increase at the NFL level.
Spencer Rattler NFL mock draft
Mock draft projection: No. 81 overall
Sporting News' seven-round mock draft has Rattler being selected 81st overall by the Seahawks, giving Seattle a new backup option for Geno Smith.
Seattle is sticking with Smith as its starter for now after the journeyman turned back the clock two years ago, taking over as the top signal caller for the team after the Russell Wilson trade to Denver. Bringing in Rattler gives the top another option in the QB room, in addition to newly acquired Sam Howell.
This is what SN's Vinnie Iyer had to say about his projection of Rattler to the Seahawks:
"Ratter's combination of arm, athleticism, and experience should give him appeal as another quick developmental option to go with Sam Howell behind Geno Smith."
