Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Four who missed out the most on spring practice

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before the football game between the South Dakota Coyotes and Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before the football game between the South Dakota Coyotes and Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws during warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws during warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Spencer Rattler

Spencer Rattler is an obvious choice here. The redshirt freshman quarterback saw action in just three games last season, mostly at the very end of games that had already been long decided, and three a total of just 11 passes, seven of them completions. Although he had a full year to learn the Oklahoma offensive system and ran the scout team, he had virtually no reps with the starting unit.

As the projected starter at quarterback next season, spring practice was going to give Rattler an opportunity to get ahead of the curve a little in his new starting role and become more familiar with the starters he will be working with on the No, 1 unit and getting critical timing down with the receivers he will be throwing to in the fall.

Rattler probably stood to benefit the most from a full spring practice of all the Oklahoma returning players. There are few things more difficult to transition than a new, young starting quarterback, especially on a team in which the three previous starters have won two Heisman Trophies and been a Heisman runner-up.

Ideally, a coaching staff would like as much practice time as it can get in advance of the new season in order to put the new starter in the best position  to succeed. Rattler will be short-changed in that preparation. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be able to overcome it. It just becomes more difficult.

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