A saga steeped in drama throughout the 2021 Oklahoma football season appears to be approaching a conclusion that almost everyone saw coming.
Spencer Rattler’s longtime personal quarterback coach, Mike Giovando, said the path forward for Rattler will be some place other than Oklahoma in 2022.
In a text to the Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert, Giovando indicated what Rattler’s future might entail.
“Yeah, you know Spencer’s doing everything he’s supposed to do in Oklahoma,” Giovando said in a text. “Just wait the season out, and, if his number is called, he’ll be ready.
“But I mean, of course he’s not going to be there after this year. I mean that’s a no-brainer. Whether or not we declare for the draft or find another school remains to be seen. We just want to keep getting feedback from where he may fall in the draft. And his No. 1 goal is to be a first-round pick one day, so he will do what’s best in the end so he can achieve that goal.
“But he’s doing OK. He really is. He’s handled this very well.” – Obert, Arizona Republic
It makes perfect sense Rattler wants an opportunity somewhere else.
Rattler came to Oklahoma as a five-star quarterback recruit and the 11th-rated player nationally in the 2019 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
Judging from Giovando’s text, it appears Rattler’s first option would be to turn pro if his camp gets the impression he would be selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
If a first-round grade is off the table, Rattler likely finds a different suitor in college football.
Whatever path ultimately lies ahead for Rattler, his time at Oklahoma should be remembered positively. Rattler led Oklahoma to a sixth consecutive Big 12 championship in 2020 and was named the CBS Sports national freshman of the year.
He was also selected first-team on the AP All-Big 12 team following last season and won the organization’s co-Big 12 newcomer of the year award.
Rattler finished the 2020 season 214-of-317 passing for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions. After an up-and-down start to the 2021 season, Rattler was replaced by true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams in the Texas game.
Williams ignited Oklahoma’s offense that day and has inserted his name into Heisman Trophy conversations since. None of this means that Rattler isn’t still a very talented quarterback with a bright future in front of him.
However, it does mean Rattler’s future will continue somewhere else once this Oklahoma season ends.
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