Sapakoff: Worried about Spencer Rattler's Gamecocks cast? See 2022

7-8 minutes 7/21/2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Spencer Rattler looked every bit the college football star Thursday at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Nashville as he smoothly moved about 11 SEC Media Days interview stations in a snappy suit and white sneakers.
The gold rattlesnake chain stood out, shining and catching the bright lights over a garnet-trimmed necktie.
“A nice little piece,” said Rattler, the quarterback who led South Carolina to an 8-5 record in 2022. The regular season ended with massive upsets at Clemson and against Tennessee.
So the Gamecocks have that going for them.
The big questions on offense, however, have more to do with Rattler’s supporting cast. Or lack thereof.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina’s leading rusher last year, is at The Other USC.
Tight end Jaheim Bell is a Florida State starter.
Jalen Brooks and Josh Vann, two of the three leading receivers, are in the NFL.
The offensive line is a major rebuilding project.
So why is this 6-1, 218-pound redshirt senior from Phoenix smiling?
Maybe because Rattler knows the Gamecocks somehow won eight games, pulled four point-spread upsets and got into the Gator Bowl with serious holes in the arsenal.
South Carolina indeed might stay the same or take a slight step back record-wise against a tough schedule in 2023, even while improving as a program with recruiting and culture growth. If so, it’s more likely going to be because of slippage on defense and not quite as many spectacular special-teams plays.
Offense?
Aside from a few special Saturdays, it can’t get much worse.
Examples:
• An injured Lloyd didn’t play against Tennessee and was ineffective at Clemson (17 yards on 11 carries).
• Bell after scoring two touchdowns during a 38-21 victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, scored a total of two receiving touchdowns in 2022 (he had three rushing TDs).
• South Carolina for the second season in a row turned the ball over more than any other SEC offense.
• Rattler was held to 212 yards or fewer passing in eight straight games.
• The Gamecocks put one player on the All-SEC first team (wide receiver Juice Wells) and one on the second (guard Jovaughn Gwyn).
And yet …
Rattler, with conviction and boosted by a 63-38 rout of Tennessee and 31-30 win at Clemson, was one of the most confident SEC Media Days attendees.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said of his appearance. “I’ve been watching this for some years now. I’ve always wanted to be in a position like this. Blessed to be here.”
Rattler, acting as a player-coach in implementing new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains’ offense, led off-season workouts near his Arizona home with wide receivers Wells, Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown and tight end Trey Knox.
“So many other weapons as well,” Rattler said. “I’m just excited to see them in action.”
He’s thrilled with the early progress of Nyckoles Harbor, a blue-chip, 6-5, 230-pound freshman wide receiver and track-star prospect from Washington, D.C.
‘You can never assume’
True, South Carolina probably isn’t in the SEC top half at any position group except quarterback and special teams (maybe defensive back, but barely).
Running back is an issue, left mostly to 5-9, 180-pound Juju McDowell, converted wide receiver Dakereon Joyner and Newberry transfer Mario Anderson.
Of course, SEC success usually starts up front and South Carolina has a new primary offensive line coach. But while Lonnie Teasley technically got the job on Jan. 6, he took over the full-time role early last season when Greg Adkins stepped back with health issues.
Rattler is aware of the shortcomings, part of the reason he didn’t spend the off-season resting on the Tennessee and Clemson laurels.
“You can never assume anything is going to happen,” he said, “so you have to prepare and put in the work.”
Wanted: ‘More swagger’
Few recent quarterbacks have had college seasons as newsy as the Rattler years.
As an Oklahoma freshman in 2019 he played behind Jalen Hurts, who just led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl.
He was first-team All-Big 12 as a redshirt freshman in 2020.
Rattler as a redshirt sophomore in 2021 lost his Oklahoma job to Caleb Williams, Southern California’s reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Then the “up and down” year — his description — in 2022 at South Carolina: 18 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions with eight of those TD throws coming against Tennessee (six) and Clemson (two).
Rattler turns 23 in September.
“The success he had in the last two or three games to me was so much his ability to just cut it loose and give his receivers and tight ends opportunities to go make plays,” South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said Thursday when asked where Rattler needs to improve. “Just continue to play with confidence and play free like he did.”
Beamer said he wants to see “more swagger.”
So far, so brash.
Rattler said Thursday he considers himself “at the top” of SEC quarterbacks.
He’s looking forward to a matchup with North Carolina’s Drake Maye, generally rated the top quarterback prospect for the 2024 NFL draft.
And check out that rattlesnake chain shining on every SEC Media Days stage.