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It is no secret that the signal-caller is the most important position in football. With a top-tier quarterback under center, a program has a shot at not only a college football playoff berth or conference title but a place amidst the national championship conversation. This lends to evaluations and rankings at the position throughout the preseason. Which college teams are in great shape at quarterback and which teams are lacking at the leadership position entering 2021?
With each projected starter’s grading profile, data metrics, and film review, PFF released its annual college quarterback ranking for all 130 FBS programs. To no one’s astonishment, Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler landed at the esteemed No. 1 spot.
Rattler is the best player returning to college football and should be the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy when the 2021 college football season kicks off on Aug. 28.
As Lincoln Riley’s latest prodigy, Rattler has earned his place among college football’s elite and OU’s reign of dominance at the position. With mesmerizing off-platform throws and zippy quick release, he is poised for another stellar campaign this upcoming season.
The ascending star has been compared to Patrick Mahomes for his arm talent and ability to create outside the pocket. His vertical shots downfield off play-action are a thing of beauty. Rattler earned a 92.5 passing grade that ranked sixth among Power Five quarterbacks in all of the PFF College era. The five above him? All upperclassman.
As a redshirt freshman, Rattler took the college football world by storm. He started out with growing pains, throwing four costly interceptions early on in the season. But after a 1-2 start, Rattler found his groove and never looked back, guiding the team to a Big 12 title. He completed 214 of 317 attempts for 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The thing that differentiates Rattler is his playmaking ability outside of structure. His unorthodox training in high school has paid off at the college level. Regardless of his foundational base, Rattler can detach his upper body and gain enough velocity to deliver an effortless and accurate throw with unconventional footwork. A jaw-dropping element to his game that could make him Riley’s greatest achievement at the position. He produced a 91.3 passing grade and a 69.7% accurate-pass rate when creating off structure in 2020 per PFF. As the most hyped player entering 2021, he is one to keep your eyes glued on.
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Go ahead and stock up on popcorn!