Spencer Rattler discusses 'refreshing' transition to South Carolina
When South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler went into the transfer portal, he could have named the school he wanted to go to and probably ended up there.
But, as he made his decision, the idea of comfortability kept pushing him towards Columbia where he ultimately committed to Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks paired with tight end Austin Stogner.
“Almost every school around the country contacted me and my family,” “Coach Beamer and Stog, being comfortable was a big thing for me. Knowing how coach Beamer is—he was there my first two years at Oklahoma and was a great influence on all the players there—and I knew he was doing something special down here. I wanted to come be a part of it.”
Rattler spoke for the first time Wednesday since his Garnet Trust interview. There, he went in-depth on not only why he picked South Carolina but what his time in Columbia’s been like.
He’s already had time to check out a few local restaurants—D’s Wings, Hall’s Chophouse and Home Team Barbecue all got shoutouts—but what’s impressed him most isn’t the local food scene but more the environment in the building.
Rattler said it’s a player-first program where guys have input in the day-to-day goings-on, something he really appreciates.
It’s that vibe he immediately caught on to. He knows because Beamer is the head coach it was a “big indicator South Carolina was doing something right.”
“He’s turning this program around and doing a great thing here,” Rattler said. “I feel like I made the right choice. What’s impressive about this place? I feel like it’s run like an NFL type of facility. A lot of people would be surprised; it’s different than where I’m coming from. It’s more around the players to where guys aren’t burnt out. They’re enjoying their time around the facility, around the coaches and players. It’s just a great feeling. It’s a refreshing feeling.”
Now comes the interesting part as Rattler will begin on-field practices with his South Carolina teammates in just under two weeks.
They’ve already had a few player-led throwing sessions. But a month in, Rattler is still in the process of gaining his teammates’ respect and growing into a leader on the team.
“A lot of guys transfer into new schools and have to earn that respect quick. Coming in a month ago, a little later than the other guys, so far I’ve done a great job showing them my work ethic in workouts,” he said.
“If it’s putting a throwing session together with the receivers or chopping it up with the guys, getting close with the O-line. I feel like earning that respect comes from work. It’s not a lot of talking, just a lot of work. That leadership will come around and so far I feel like it’s been pretty smooth.”
Rattler’s already spent three years at Oklahoma. There he was a part of two Big 12 championship teams and one that played in the College Football Playoff.
He knows what a championship-caliber team looks like in the offseason as far as work ethic goes. He sees positive trends inside South Carolina’s ops building.
“With the pieces, we’ve added and the turnaround this team had last year it’s all in a good direction. Obviously, we won’t be able to tell until we get the pads on and start competing here in a week or two,” Rattler said.
“But so far work ethic and attentiveness: guys are on time; guys aren’t missing assignments or workouts. It’s a serious facility up here. That’s a good feeling.”
