The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler plans on taking full advantage. Rattler recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Rattler also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his NFL comparisons, how he self-scouts, and more. Let's get to know Rattler better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Spencer Rattler: We were in a team meeting. I believe it was a Sunday. Coach Beamer, our head coach at South Carolina, was doing his usual spiel. We were going over the game from the night before. All of a sudden, coach Beamer went behind his desk and grabbed two boxes of the Reese’s Senior Bowl invites for myself and my teammate Xavier Legette.
I probably should have known something was up since there were cameras around (laughs). It was an awesome feeling to get that recognition. It felt even better because I got to share the moment with Xavier. It was awesome.
JM: We can’t wait to see both of you out there. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Spencer Rattler: I’ve always wanted to play in the Senior Bowl. I grew up watching the game on television. I’ve seen big-time quarterbacks, big-time college football players make a name for themselves in Mobile. It’s something that could help your pre-draft stock. I plan on making some great connections throughout the process.
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the country. I plan on showing everyone what Spencer Rattler is capable of. That competitive side of me is excited. It’s a great game and a great environment. I can’t wait to partake.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Spencer Rattler: I’m going to show everybody what I’m made of. I’m going to be true to myself by showing everyone what I’m all about. I’m going to be an elite on the field. I’m going to be elite off the field as well, showcasing my strong communication skills and football IQ. I can’t wait to get on the whiteboard and highlight my football knowledge.
I’m looking forward to the interview process. I want them to compare me to the other quarterbacks in attendance. I want to show the scouts that I can throw the football as well as anybody in the country. I want the scouts to see that I understand football at a high level. I want to showcase all of those tools while being exactly who I am.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Spencer Rattler: Wow, that’s a great question. You can’t pigeonhole me into being a pocket passer. I can win from the pocket, I can throw it from anywhere in the pocket while navigating pressure, but I can also complete throws while escaping the pocket. You can’t title me a “pocket passer.”
I wanted to strive to do better in that area this year. I think I showed that I’m capable of making something happen off-script. I ran the football better this year. I was more aggressive and I made plays with my legs. I guess you could call me a dual-threat quarterback. I’m accurate enough to make every throw on the field. I feel great about my football IQ and my mental awareness. I’m extremely competitive and I have great leadership qualities. I can lead a locker room and make the guys around me better.
I can do everything on the football field. I’m confident in my skill set.
JM: We can’t wait to watch you in Mobile. We’re all so excited to see you in person. If you had to give yourself an NFL comp, who would you choose and why?
Spencer Rattler: That’s a very tough question. An NFL comp? There are so many guys I analyze and try to learn from. I watch a lot of Patrick Mahomes. I can make plays outside the pocket like he does. I’ve worked on becoming a better escape artist. I made a lot of those plays this year. I try to take stuff from Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.
I’ve watched a lot of Tom Brady for footwork. He probably had the cleanest footwork of any quarterback to ever play the game. Don’t get me wrong, I don't want to compare myself to anybody, especially not the greatest quarterback to ever play (laughs). I try to learn from those guys. I feel like I have some similar qualities.
JM: Learning from the greats makes a lot of sense. What can you achieve at the Senior Bowl that you can’t at other pre-draft events?
Spencer Rattler: I’m looking forward to an interview process that allows me to meet with all 32 teams. It’s giving me an opportunity to showcase my on-field abilities while competing with the best of the best. I can’t wait to be a leader.
I think it’s really cool for coaches and scouts to see me perform in a team setting. I’m going to be getting coached from all angles. We’ll have all 32 general managers in attendance. It’s a great opportunity. I’m excited to prove myself.
It’s such a big event. It’s televised on the NFL Network. Who wouldn’t want to play and compete in that? I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to have a great time.
JM: Is there a player in the NFL you’re looking forward to eventually swapping jerseys with?
Spencer Rattler: I would love to swap jerseys with Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes—any of the greats. I’ve been watching those guys since I was a young kid. I definitely try to take bits and pieces of their game and implement what I learn into my game. Hopefully, I get a chance to compete against those guys and beat them in a game.
JM: What’s on your pre-game playlist?
Spencer Rattler: Good question (laughs). There’s a mix of a few different things. I need some new music because I’ve been listening to the same stuff on repeat. Definitely some rap, some hip-hop. I mix in some R&B to keep it light. I listen to Lil’ Baby, Gunna, NBA YoungBoy, and some stuff to cool it down as well.
JM: Those are some excellent choices. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Spencer Rattler?
Spencer Rattler: A successful Senior Bowl would be me going out there and checking off all the boxes. Each game throughout this season, and usually before the season starts, I’ll write down a set of goals and pray on them. I go out there and achieve those goals.
I’m going to write down a set of goals before the Senior Bowl, and then I’m going to go out there and be myself. I’m going to be a leader. I want to be elite on and off the field. Another big goal of mine is to win MVP of the game itself. That’s something I’m looking forward to, but I have to work for it.
