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Oklahoma football: Spencer Rattler’s high expectations precede him

By Chip Rouse

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) /
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Spencer Rattler has yet to start an Oklahoma football game and has thrown just 11 passes in his collegiate career, yet he has the second best odds to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy, according to one sports handicapper.

Part of the reason for Rattler’s upward movement in the preseason Heisman watch list is because two major conferences — the Big Ten and the Pac-12 — have opted out of playing football in the fall because of COVID-19 concerns. That factor alone eliminated one front runner, Justin Fields of Ohio State. It also ruled out Kedon Slovis of USC from consideration.

The other factor that cannot be overlooked is the reputational equity that goes along with having back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners in 2017 (Baker Mayfield) and 2018 (Kyler Murray) and a Heisman runner-up (Jalen Hurts) last season, all quarterbacks and all from the same school.

Both SportsBetting.ag and BetOnline.ag have Rattler at 9/1 odds and ranked second behind Trevor Lawrence at 2/1 in their updated 2020 Heisman watch lists.

The expectations for Rattler are sky high and have been ever since he committed to Oklahoma right after his sophomore year of high school in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2017. The former five-star prospect and No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 national class hasn’t even been officially designated as the starting quarterback for the coming season, but already giant things are expected from him and the Oklahoma offense.

Spencer Rattler up to No. 2 spot in preseason Heisman odds.

You have to wonder if all of this is too much too soon for the young quarterback? The three Heisman-caliber quarterbacks who preceded him at Oklahoma all had career starts at the quarterback position before they arrived at OU.

Rattler also has been designated as the Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Earlier this month, Ryan Aber of The Oklahoman interviewed Mike Giovando, who has worked with Rattler since before he entered high school. Giovando first noticed Rattler when he was in fifth or sixth grade and recognized that early that the young Arizonan possessed special skills for his age. He says that if anyone can carry the extraordinary weight that has been placed on his shoulders it is Rattler.

“He’s getting these things put on him — these expectations,” Giovando said. “But instead of puffing his chest out, he realizes he’s got to work.

“He’s not out there like he’s already done something,” his former coach said.

He’s always trying to get better, Giovando said about Rattler, which is the work ethic you like to see from your best players.

“He’s not satisfied (when somethings not perfect),” he said. “If we’re doing a drill or working on a throw, whatever it is we’re working on and he doesn’t get it the way we want it, he’s instantly, ‘Give me the ball, I’m doing it again.'”

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Rattler from being in Norman working with his teammates in spring practice and offseason conditioning. Instead, he remained in Arizona working with Giovando, working every day to get better and ready to get on the field and show Sooner fans he’s deserving of all that’s been said and written about him.

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