COLUMBIA — South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is simply going to be who he’s and if the skin notion of him is not all the time optimistic, he is simply fantastic with that.
“Everybody type of sees it and it’s what it’s,” Rattler mentioned of how he believes he’s perceived. “I’ll let you know who I’m. I’m a competitor and a assured man. I’m a workforce man and I really like the sport. Every coach and teammate I’ve performed with will let you know that. So that is going to be an important yr, we will have enjoyable and go on the market and attempt to win video games.”
When requested if it was necessary to him to be nicely appreciated, Rattler responded, “Not in any respect.”
Rattler, the previous No. 1 ranked quarterback recruit within the nation, was suspended from his highschool workforce for the final a part of his senior season. His father, Mike Rattler, advised the USA TODAY Sports Network’s AZCentral.com on the time it was for “violating a district code of conduct coverage” and referred to as it a “dumb factor” and out of character for his son.
Details of the violation stay unknown.
Rattler was a part of a Netflix documentary collection referred to as “QB1” that documented his senior season after he’d been dedicated to Oklahoma. As a redshirt sophomore final yr with the Sooners, he was benched because the starter after main the workforce to a 6-0 report.
USC coach Shane Beamer defended Rattler throughout Thursday’s press convention as a part of the varsity’s media day when requested why his participant is assumed to typically be misunderstood.
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“The solely factor I can collect is manner too many individuals watched QB1 or no matter it was,” Beamer mentioned. “I nonetheless have not to at the present time. Some might say that did not painting him in a optimistic gentle. If I had a documentary on me on the age of 17, I’d not be happy with what was in it, I’ m certain, in that scenario.
“All I do know is the Spencer I used to be round for 2 years at Oklahoma on and off the sphere and the Spencer I’ve seen in his time right here as nicely. I feel it is simple for some individuals to say he dealt with that (Oklahoma) scenario poorly, however I’ve a tough time discovering one occasion the place he dealt with the scenario in a nasty manner that affected that football workforce final yr after he misplaced his beginning job. I feel it is simple for individuals to type of assume that (he dealt with it poorly ) and have a notion, however notion is just not all the time actuality and it isn’t what I’ve seen and know.”
Having been well-known since his senior yr of highschool, Rattler mentioned he is turn out to be accustomed to each criticism and optimistic hype.
“You need to welcome (the noise) at this place. I’ve been within the limelight I suppose you can say since highschool. So, it is nothing new to me and also you simply need to embrace it as a quarterback. That comes with management qualities, your work ethic and every little thing, so it is about going on the market, enjoying my fashion of sport, doing what the coaches ask and every little thing else will handle itself.”
Over the previous yr he added, “I’ve discovered so much. Just going by the portal, going by adversity, you see so much and also you be taught so much. Going by that has made me understand issues and see loads of issues in another way . Other than that I’m the identical man. Ready to work, able to play and have enjoyable.”
Eric Boynton writes for the USA TODAY Sports Network. Reach him at eboynton@gannett.com or comply with on Twitter @erijboynton