Oklahoma Football: Is Spencer Rattler the next great Sooner quarterback?

Spencer Rattler had an amazing performance in the Cotton Bowl against the Florida Gators. Is Rattler the next Heisman quarterback for Oklahoma football?

Spence Rattler, the only five-star quarterback in his class, finished a stellar freshman season at Oklahoma. The redshirt freshman finished with over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in his first season as the starter. Could Rattler be next in the line of Heisman winning quarterbacks?

Something to consider over the next two seasons, Rattler is playing in the post Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields era. Rattler is on the watch list going forward along with Kedon Slovis of USC next season.

Oklahoma’s history of great quarterbacks

In 2000, Oklahoma discovered a JUCO quarterback named Josh Heupel. Though Heupel did not win the Heisman Trophy, the Sooners won their only National Title under Bob Stoops and Heupel was an All-American. After Heupel was done,  in 2003 Josh White would win the Sooners’ first Heisman since Billy Sims in 1978. Sam Bradford would bring the hardware in 2008.

Baker Mayfield’s win in 2017 preceded by being runner up in 2016 began an unprecedented run of quarterbacks by Oklahoma. Kyler Murray would give the Sooners back to back Heisman winners in 2018. Though Jalen Hurts did not win the Heisman Trophy in 2019, Hurts would be the fourth consecutive quarterback to be a finalist for the Sooners.

Lincoln Riley knows quarterbacks

Although Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray were transfers, both Mayfield and Murray had multiple years in Riley’s system — Mayfield three and Murray two. Riley has proven himself to acclimate the offense to the strength of whoever is behind center.

Both Murray and Hurts were 1,000-yard runners at quarterback, while Mayfield ran more spread concepts. Riley schemes to put his quarterbacks in the best position to make plays downfield. Riley has proven to not only be a master quarterback guru, but also the best play-caller in all of football.

Rattler has talent all around

Mayfield and Murray had both CeeDee Lamb and Marquis Brown at receiver, but Rattler might have the deepest most talented receiver group of any of the quarterbacks at Oklahoma.

Charleston Rambo is a high four-star and Marvin Mims — who had a big Cotton Bowl — is also a high-end four-star out of high school as well. The Sooners have four-star caliber wide receivers all over the field. Not only are they deep at receiver, both Marcus Major and Seth McGowan are big-time running backs to take the pressure off of Sanders.

Along with the pieces offensively, the Sooner defense has made improvements as well. The Sooners have allowed six fewer points this season than last and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has improved recruiting. With the talent around Rattler and a coach who can scheme and call plays Rattler is sure to put up some serious numbers.