Kirk Herbstreit has questioned Spencer Rattler's maturity in the past

While many believe that Spencer Rattler has the best shot to win the Heisman Trophy this season, the dots haven’t always connected for ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. When the College GameDay football analyst first got to see the wildly-hyped prospect, he believed Rattler needed time to mature.

“I’ll be very honest, I watched QB1 the year he was on it, and I was watching that show with a little bit of concern with his maturity,” Herbstreit said via an ESPN teleconference Wednesday. “I wondered if he was maybe a little bit more of a social media guy and into his own brand, as opposed to the team.

“And playing that position and being a five-star is one thing, but going to a place like Oklahoma, it’s more about the offensive line and the running backs and the receivers and the team than your individual brand. I wondered if he’d be able to grasp that. So that’s what I was watching for.”

Furthermore, Rattler got to Norman and had to sit behind Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts. However, Herbstreit believes that’s one of the best things to happen to the young quarterback.

“And I think the greatest thing that (Rattler) did was sit behind Jalen (Hurts) and see what a professional does and how you go about your business and how you be a leader,” Herbstreit said. “I was anxious when he took over last year (about) how was he going to act. And what I’m describing has a lot to do with what Lincoln Riley saw maybe early last year (when he benched Rattler).”

‘A gamechanger for Spencer Rattler’

Last season, Rattler’s erratic play cost Oklahoma in games against Kansas State and Iowa State. While his talent flashed, he needed to be more careful late in games.

With the possibility of a third straight loss on the table against rival Texas, Lincoln Riley benched Rattler following his second turnover of the game. Afterwards, the Oklahoma quarterback returned, leading the Sooners to a 53-45 win in four overtimes on Oct. 10, 2020.

“Before that he had made some decisions late in games that cost them, they were winning games late and then turning it over,” Herbstreit said. “I think sitting him down, we’ll always look at that moment as a gamechanger for Spencer Rattler. Because it’s never been about his physical gifts. 

“It’s just been about his maturity and his understanding of his role within the program. Is he ready?”

From that point on, Rattler was tremendous. The quarterback made good on his hype, leading Oklahoma to seven straight wins, including victories over Iowa State and Florida.

‘I’m betting on Oklahoma’

While he was originally a doubter, Herbstreit now believes in Rattler. So much so, that he’s picking them to win the National Championship over Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Ohio State.

“I’m betting on Oklahoma. I’ve got Oklahoma going all the way to the National Championship and winning it,” Herbstreit said. “So I’m assuming, because of how much respect I have for Lincoln (Riley), that Rattler’s ready to become the guy and handle it with maturity. I’m banking on that. 

“Now I want to see it, we all want to see it. (Rattler’s maturity is) the question. There’s a lot of talent around him, the defense is going to be better, so he doesn’t have to feel like he has to be on Sportscenter every night to kind of do his job. He just needs to distribute the ball, make plays and avoid turnovers. 

“He’s smart. And if he does that, OU is going to be tough to beat.”

Rattler appears to have made Kirk Herbstreit a believer. This season, he has the chance to convince a lot more people as well, as Rattler looks to deliver Oklahoma their first national championship since 2000.