Big 12 Football: 3 biggest storylines heading into spring 2020

1. Do the Sooners have yet another star-in-waiting at QB?

Lincoln Riley’s played three different quarterbacks in as many seasons during his time as the Sooners’ head coach, but they’ve all been extremely successful.

Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 when he threw for over 4,500 yards and 43 touchdowns in Riley’s first season. A year later, Kyler Murray posted even greater numbers — 4,361 passing yards, 1,001 rushing yards, 54 total touchdowns — on his way to the Heisman Trophy. Jalen Hurts couldn’t complete the Heisman three-peat, but he still played an excellent campaign when plenty doubted his fit with the Sooners after transferring from Alabama.

Mayfield’s the starter for the Cleveland Browns, Murray for the Arizona Cardinals, and Hurts is currently going through the biggest interview of his life — the NFL Combine and Draft process.

This places redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler, the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, front-and-center for the Sooners’ offense. With spring football just starting, though, there’s still a competition to be had between Rattler and Tanner Mordecai; the money is pointing toward Rattler, though.

In late January, Rattler had the third-best odds to win the Heisman at 12-1, edging out three-year Longhorn starter Sam Ehlinger who was 14-1. That’s pretty incredible for someone who’s yet to start a college football game. Updated odds at Bovada have Rattler in sixth place now, just behind Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard, at +1100. With Riley’s track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks and the pieces that’ll surround the Sooners’ starter in 2020, it’s a very realistic possibility Rattler will be invited to New York at the end of the season. The job isn’t Rattler’s just yet, though, according to Riley just ahead of spring practice. It’s still a competition.

“It’s the very core of team sports,” said Riley. “You let however many people you have, you let them truly compete for a spot and may the best man win.”

How long will Riley and the Sooners be able to dominate the Big 12 with a revolving door at quarterback? With Rhule leaving Baylor, the Longhorns still searching for their way “back”, the Jayhawks, Mountaineers, Red Raiders and Wildcats still adjusting to new regimes — it’s entirely possible Riley’s reign will continue. And if he ever gets a quarterback with multiple years of eligibility (like Rattler and Mordecai)? Look. Out.