Two top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class played for the Oklahoma football program. However, neither 2022 Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams nor South Carolina Gamecocks product Spencer Rattler spent long donning the crimson and cream. Williams and Rattler, each top prospect in their respective classes, started with the Sooners before transferring. The two gunslingers did, however, spend the 2021 season together, with Williams eventually usurping Rattler for the starting role.
Fresh off an uber-efficient 2020 season, Rattler struggled to improve the following year, with Williams eventually taking over as the team’s leading signal-caller. Williams never looked back, helping lead OU to an 11-2 record and a 47-32 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl. During an appearance on The Pivot, hosted by former NFL corner turned media personality Ryan Clark, Williams talked about his time sitting behind Rattler despite believing he deserved the starting role to start the season.
Oklahoma Football: Caleb Williams talks Playing Second-Fiddle to Spencer Rattler
Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy Award winner with the USC Trojans, spent his first season with the Oklahoma Sooners. He threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns against four picks. Williams also added six touchdowns on the ground. The Sooners went 11-2, but Williams believes they could have fulfilled their title aspirations if he had started the season over fellow signal-caller Spencer Rattler. Much to Williams’ disbelief, Rattler, who started the year prior, beat out Williams for the starting role.
Caleb Williams committed to @OU_Football out of high school knowing that Spencer Rattler was the returning starter. Not only was Rattler the starter, but a projected 1st round pick. @CALEBcsw told everyone he’d win the starting job, & actually thought he did enough to be the… pic.twitter.com/ojxmAMh8oV
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 20, 2024
“At the time, I was so angry and so frustrated because I didn’t feel like,e, that wasn’t what I wanted to hear because I felt like I was the best. I felt like I could have helped us win, you know, all the games,” said Williams on The Pivot, hosted by ESPN’s Ryan Clark. Williams claims he could have helped OU win games. However, they were undefeated by the time he took over for Rattler midway through the season. Oklahoma football survived scares from West Virginia, Kansas State, and Nebraska with Rattler under center.
Williams spoke on staying ready for his opportunity, saying, “I kept preparing as best as I could so when I had my moment, there was no way that he was ever going to get it back.”
Williams eventually took over for Rattler after struggling against the Texas Longhorns in early October. With Texas up double-digits, the Sooners turned to Williams, who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind 55-48 victory.
Williams pointed to former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady taking over for Drew Bledsoe as inspiration for the 2021 season. Like Williams, Brady was forced into action for Bledsoe and never returned the job after showcasing a winning ability during his first season.
Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler: Entering NFL Draft
Caleb Williams, a former top prospect turned college star, will undoubtedly be the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Williams started his career with the Oklahoma football program, totaling 21 passing touchdowns against four picks. However, he followed head coach Lincoln Riley to USC, where he spent the past two seasons. Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against five picks. He saw a downtick in production last fall, accumulating 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Meanwhile, Rattler spent three seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners. After playing behind Jalen Hurts as a freshman, Rattler became the starter in 2020, throwing for 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Rattler struggled in 2021, posting 1,483 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games while being benched for Caleb Williams. Rattler transferred to South Carolina at season’s end. He tallied 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions during his two-year run with the Gamecocks. Many pundits have Rattler as a day-two draft selection.
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