Jord’s analysis of the favourites for the Heisman Trophy continues with a look at Oklahoma Sooners QB Spencer Rattler.

Spencer Rattler , QB, Oklahoma Sooners

Redshirt Sophomore, 6 ‘ 1”, 205 lbs

Spencer Rattler is currently sitting as the favourite to scoop the 2021 Heisman Trophy award. The Sooners QB is heading into his third year with the team, and his second year as a starter. Rattler was able to redshirt his freshman year, after only participating in three games in 2019 completing 7 passes from 11 attempts. If all things go to plan, he is more than likely heading for the 2022 NFL Draft as a top five pick. It is a big year down in The Sooner State for Spencer Rattler. Could he win himself the Heisman Trophy and with that a potential number 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft?

A worthy favourite?

Spencer Rattler is the current favourite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021 after looking at the other players in the mix and Rattler’s performances in 2020. Rattler got off to a less than ideal start in his first year as a starting QB. He threw 5 interceptions in his first 4 games, including 3 in the upset loss to Kansas State and 1 in another loss to Iowa State. Despite the turnovers in those games, Rattler showed why the buzz around him was so high. After those back to back losses, he led his team to eight straight wins, with his own performances improving by the week. In his last four games, he threw 10 TDs and only one interception. In that run, The Sooners captured the Big XII Championship with a revenge victory over Iowa State, before dismantling the Florida Gators in the Cotton Bowl.

Start like you finish

If Spencer Rattler can guide The Sooners to this season’s college football playoffs, then it’s going to be hard not seeing him take home the Heisman Trophy. To achieve this he needs to start the 2021 season in the way he finished 2020. Oklahoma’s 11 game season finished with a 9-2 record, with two of those losses coming in the first three games. After a Covid-interrupted 2020, Oklahoma will be back to 12 regular season games and hopefully another Big 12 Championship game.

Spencer Rattler has the players around him to help his cause. Wide receivers Marvin Mims and Theo Wease alongside Tight Ends Austin Stogner and Jeremiah Hall, are all reliable targets. The running game still should be strong, despite Rhamondre Stevenson departing for the NFL. The offensive line has lost a couple of key men, but still should be good enough to give Rattler enough protection. Barring a major injury crisis or below par performances, it’s all set up for Spencer Rattler to make a real push for the college football playoffs. If Spencer Rattler achieves that, then the 2021 Heisman Trophy could follow.

The Verdict

The stage seems set for Spencer Rattler to win this year’s Heisman Trophy. The Sooners’ schedule looks pretty on paper. A 13-0 season is possible, but a tall order. Oklahoma has lost at least one regular season game since 2004. Texas and TCU should improve, and Matt Campbell’s Iowa State remains a fearsome opponent in the Big XII. If Rattler guides the Sooners to a Big XII Championship, he may have done enough to join the illustrious list of Heisman Trophy winners. As the early favourite, he cannot afford many bad performances. If he does slip, there is a group of guys waiting in the wings to swoop in and claim the prize.