Less than three weeks before the official start to this year’s college football season and 2022 NFL Draft talk is starting to come in hot and heavy. Todd McShay, one of the most well known draft experts in the industry posted his preseason Top 50, a ranking of his top 50 draft prospects entering the new season. Three Oklahoma Sooners made the Top 50.
McShay, like many others holds Spencer Rattler’s pro prospects in high regard. So much so, he comes into this season as his number one prospect. His scouting report on Rattler reads as such:
Rattler shows quick feet both in the pocket and extending plays, and unleashes a fast release to get the ball out, often changing his arm angle to make impressive off-platform throws. He has plenty of arm strength, but his accuracy stands to improve a bit. And I’d like to see him process plays a little faster at times, as he stays on his first read too long too often. He might not yet be a finished product, but Rattler has all the tools to be a franchise QB in the NFL, including the ability to pick up yards with his legs. – McShay
Rattler has immense potential with his otherworldly arm talent and the athleticism to make a few plays with his legs.
He really put it together towards the end of the season as he settled in after being benched in the Red River game against Texas. Rattler led the Sooners to another Big 12 title and a Cotton Bowl drubbing of the Florida Gators.
If OU is to match their national title expectations, Rattler will most certainly have to live up to this number one ranking while still improving.
On the other side of the ball for OU, anticipation grows as the defense under Alex Grinch has started to transform the narrative about the Sooners’ defensive efforts of late.
McShay nabbed two of their most important pieces in his rankings. OLB Nik Bonitto and defensive linemen Perrion Winfrey slotted in at spots 12 and 29.
“Disruptive” and “rangy” were the words used to describe Bonitto’s game. He cited Bonitto as being a little light for an edge rusher but his ability to stack tight ends and use his hands would help him quite a bit.
Winfrey’s size creates a bit of a conundrum for NFL teams. Where does his size allow him to fit best? McShay suggests he would play well as a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end. Winfrey has to improve gap discipline and his counter moves with his pass rush heading into this upcoming year. Oklahoma will need both to take another step forward as they continue to rewrite the story about Oklahoma’s defense after many years of subpar performance.
All three prospects are key cogs in a machine that is starting to figure it out this summer. The next step for all three is a final season that could solidify their professional aspirations and beckme Oklahoma icons en route to their eighth national championship.