Spencer Rattler reveals his weight gain since joining South Carolina

Spencer Rattler has been hard at work in the weight room since arriving at South Carolina, resulting in a big gain. In an interview with SEC Network’s Ryan McGee at the Gamecocks spring game Saturday, the transfer quarterback revealed just how much weight he has added.

“I put on about 10-12 pounds since I got here,” Rattler said. “Realized the SEC weight lifting program is no joke. They’re getting me right for sure.”

Standing at 6-foot-1, Rattler was listed at 205 pounds last season at Oklahoma. However, watching him in the spring game, it was evident that he was much bigger and stronger than in seasons’ past. That would be the work of Luke Day, the South Carolina football strength and conditioning coach.

A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 class according to On3 Consensus, Rattler played under current Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer for two seasons with the Sooners in 2019 and 2020. He helped lead OU to a Big 12 Championship and Cotton Bowl victory in 2020, he returned to lead the offense in 2021 as Beamer left to take over the Gamecocks. Although he began the season as a Heisman candidate, Rattler struggled to start the year and was eventually benched in place of true freshman Caleb Williams.

After coach Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC this offseason, Rattler decided to reunite with Beamer at South Carolina. If his weight gain is any indication, Spencer Rattler is working hard shake off the struggles from last year and return with the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC this season.

The quarterback will make his official debut when South Carolina opens up the 2022 season against Georgia State on Sept. 3.

Spencer Rattler assesses his spring game performance

South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler made his debut in Columbia on Saturday evening at the Gamecocks’ annual spring game. The Oklahoma transfer finished the contest 8-for-10 passing for 79 yards, while also running the ball twice for 12 yards.

With his day done late in the fourth quarter, Rattler joined SEC Network’s Ryan McGee for an interview on the sidelines. Asked to assess his performance for the day, he said he was pleased with what he did in the little time he saw.

“I had a good few drives getting the flow down and getting the chemistry with my guys,” the quarterback said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I thought we did some good things. Like you said, I’m excited watching these other guys get in and make big-time plays.”

Rattler took a couple of deep shots in the game, connecting with Xavier Legette for 30 yards in the first quarter. Perhaps his best highlight of the day came in the second quarter with a defender chasing him down on third-and-18. Rattler managed to get rid of the ball on the run for a 16-yard gain to Antwane Wells Jr. that set up fourth and short. In the interview with McGee, Rattler said he has had no issues developing chemistry with his teammates since arriving this offseason.

“It’s going great,” he said. “They accepted all of us transfers and we’ve just played really well with everybody.”