Spencer Rattler reveals how he wants to be remembered at South Carolina

South Carolina‘s 16-7 loss to rival Clemson in the team’s regular season finale didn’t just mark the final game of the season for the Gamecocks, but also the last game of quarterback Spencer Rattler‘s college career.

Rattler joined South Carolina ahead of the 2022 season through the transfer portal following three seasons at Oklahoma, and in the last two seasons has played some of the best football of his career while also providing Gamecocks’ fans with some iconic moments and memories.

Following the final game in a South Carolina uniform, Rattler was asked about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered in Columbia.

“As a dude that just gave his all,” Rattler said. “A dude that helped change the program, helped lead us to a lot of big wins with the team, was a great leader, a great captain, just played hard every single Saturday and put it on the line, kept us in the game. Just want to be known as that.”

Rattler’s backstory is well documented, a five-star recruit coming out of high school that was ranked the No. 1 quarterback in the nation for the 2019 recruiting class according to On3’s Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He was infamously benched for then-freshman quarterback Caleb Williams, who would go on to win a Heisman Trophy, during the 2021 Red River Rivalry game. Making his way to Columbia following the season after Williams took over under center for the Sooners.

Rattler would go on to play two seasons at South Carolina and make his mark on the program, now regarded as one of the best passers in Gamecocks’ history.

“That’s just a blessing to be mentioned with some of these guys that have played here before and I don’t take that lightly,” Rattler said. “I’m very happy to be a part of this tradition and very happy I’ll be graduating from here December 18th. So alumni here, this is my home away from home, so I’m always happy for that.”

Rattler’s 6,212 passing yards with the Gamecocks ranks fifth all-time in school history, and he’s the only player in the top 10 who’s played just two seasons for the program. His most recent 3,186-yard season also ranks fourth all-time in South Carolina’s record books.

He also led the program to two memorable wins to end the 2021 season, defeating two Top-10 ranked opponents in back-to-back wins versus Tennessee and Clemson. His six touchdown passes versus the Volunteers set a new South Carolina single-game record, going down as one of the best individual performances in program history.

Rattler now has his sights set on the NFL, but there’s no question that his impact on South Carolina in just two short years with the program will be remembered.