Farewell, Spencer Rattler? South Carolina QB sounds off on future, his time as a Gamecock

In a season where Spencer Rattler has been a shining light in South Carolina’s offense, he struggled during Saturday’s regular-season finale against Clemson.

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains once called Rattler “spaghetti sauce” for hiding flaws and eliminating USC errors. But the quarterback struggled to get a first down in the second half against the Tigers. He finished the game 16-for-32 for 112 passing yards and an interception, his worst statistical performance of the season, in the 16-7 loss.

Rattler’s become one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and a household name in Columbia. And he has one year of college eligibility left — if he wants it.

Yet, sitting in front of the media Saturday night, Rattler spoke of South Carolina in past tense — using verbs like “was” and “meant.” He won’t announce his next steps until later, he said.

Rattler might not have announced those next steps formally, but Saturday night certainly felt like a farewell.

“This place meant everything to me,” Rattler said. “Coming here, in two years and just enjoying every moment: the adversity, the success. I wanted to be a part of change in this program. And I feel like I put 110% effort into it every day.”

Rattler praised head coach Shane Beamer, the South Carolina fan base, Loggains and the rest of the quarterback room for what all they’ve done for him the last two seasons. He acknowledged the honor of being a Gamecock captain. He became teary-eyed when speaking on what it meant to embrace the SEC.

The quarterback accepted a Reese’s Senior Bowl invite earlier this week, one of two Gamecocks to earn the honor (WR Xavier Legette being the other). A declaration for the 2024 NFL Draft feels like a probability. He stands third on the program’s all-time passing list (3,186 passing yards) and graduates from USC on Dec. 18.

“I’m very happy to be a part of this,” Rattler said. “It’s my home away from home here, so I’ll always be happy here.”

Rattler and Beamer have known each other since 2019, when Rattler played at Oklahoma and Beamer was an assistant coach there. After Rattler entered the transfer portal in 2021, he had an opportunity to break away from the West Coast, the Pac-12 and follow USC’s second-year head coach.

He went for it, and he didn’t regret that choice.

“He leads that locker room like nobody I’ve ever seen,” Rattler said. “And he’s got it headed in the right direction. For that, you know I’m happy to have been a part and have a hand in it with this team. It was awesome.”

Beamer, who was visibly emotional after the game, struggled to express his sentiments for the graduating seniors. Rattler wasn’t a player who began and stayed at South Carolina when Beamer joined, but was a key transfer portal addition who stayed two years.

“They’re awesome,” Beamer said, fighting back tears. “They’re a great group of guys. And they just kept hanging in there.”

Beamer said he expects USC to be a “helluva team” next season, knowing that a few players honored in the pregame Senior Day festivities can return. He didn’t name anyone. Those announcements will be made by those specific players at a later date.

After some rest, Rattler said he’ll make sure to share his next steps for everyone to see.

“I’ll get to that when the time is right,” Rattler said. “Taking it day by day right now. I’m going to rest my body, get some time off and then I’ll get back to you.”