Lincoln Riley explains decision to name Spencer Rattler starting quarterback (Video)

Not that it’s much of a surprise, but Spencer Rattler has won the starting quarterback job for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2020. 

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley announced Spencer Rattler would be the starting quarterback for the Sooners in 2020. He’s the first non-transfer to start for Riley since he took over as the head coach in 2017.

“Spencer has played very well and certainly is very deserving of it, Riley said.”

Riley explained Rattler won the job because he played really well this summer. Fellow quarterback Tanner Mordecai missed 75 percent of camp due to injury and had limited opportunities and reps to show that he was better suited for the position, which also played a big part in Riley’s decision.

Riley finished up by mentioning that they’re fortunate to have two competent players at the quarterback position. Rattler appears to be the man for the job in 2020 however.

Spencer Rattler has been waiting for a chance to start for the Oklahoma Sooners since last year.

Rattler was initially thought to be the successor to Kyler Murray, but after Jalen Hurts elected to transfer to Oklahoma, it was his job to lose and that forced Rattler into a redshirt/backup role for his freshman season.

Rattler did see the field a few times in 2019, appearing in three games and attempting 11 passes during that time. He completed seven of those passes for 81 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 23 yards.

Riley has done a nice job since taking over at Oklahoma, as the last three Sooner quarterbacks have put up video game-like numbers and two of them (Murray and Baker Mayfield) were back-to-back Heisman winners and number one picks in the NFL Draft. Hurts wasn’t either of those, but he still had a very good 2019 season and that resulted in him being a second round pick by the Eagles

Rattler is going to be fun to watch in Norman and could definitely vie for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He was a dual-threat quarterback coming out of Pinnacle High School in Arizona and set a state record by throwing for 11,083 yards and 116 touchdowns while also rushing for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Obviously the Sooners were eager when they got Rattler because of his potential.

Now, after a year of waiting, Sooner fans will get to see what Spencer Rattler can do on the gridiron.

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