Three is Better Than One
Playing an FCS opponent often allows coaches, and fans, to see what the quality of depth is at multiple positions. The South Carolina quarterback room is overflowing with talent, leadership, confidence, and potential. Spencer Rattler, Luke Doty, and LaNorris Sellers make up a deep and versatile quarterback room.
The Case for Rattler
South Carolina will not likely not win enough games to put Rattler in the Heisman conversation. The national attention is on names like Caleb Williams, Michael Penix, and Drake Maye. After throwing 12 interceptions last season, NFL scouts were concerned with Rattler’s decision-making.
Prior to the start of the season, players and coaches alike raved about the level at which Rattler was focused and working to prepare for the 2023 campaign. No one is going to answer questions about their quarterback in a negative manner. Shane Beamer, offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, and other offensive players would have been abandoning the core values of the program had they chosen to speak negatively of Rattler’s preseason preparation and performance. Naturally, they hyped him up. Needless to say, none of it was “coach speak.”
In two games this season, Rattler is 55 of 66, 83%, which ranks third nationally. He also ranks third nationally in average yards per game at 349. Rattler has three touchdowns, rushed for one, and had zero turnovers. Loggains said in his press conference after week one that Rattler was not “Charlie Checkdown,” but was pushing the ball down the field. The fifth-year quarterback is averaging over 12.5 yards per completion, confirming Loggains’ comments. Rattler has also accomplished all of this with an offensive line that has not performed well at all over the first two games. This accuracy sets Rattler apart. If he is this accurate consistently, he is poised to have a record-setting year for the Gamecocks.
There was a time when draft stock and Heisman odds may have occupied the mind of a young Rattler. But that time is not today. The focus with which he is playing shows a professional level of maturity. Rattler is locked in so much that he understands playing well in each game will bring about season-long goals. As much as Rattler’s play has been stellar through two games, his greatest test awaits as the Gamecocks prepare to begin SEC play with the number one-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
Out of Position
Doty, the backup quarterback for the Gamecocks, is a native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Doty began playing wide receiver in high school. He was moved to quarterback due to his athleticism. He grew in his abilities under center and garnered attention to play the position at the college level. As a highly regarded quarterback out of high school, the Gamecocks were thrilled to get Doty’s commitment and begin building a future with him at quarterback. However, his journey with the Gamecocks and the quarterback position has not gone as anyone could have planned.
As a freshman in 2020, Doty played quarterback sporadically throughout the year but was moved to wide receiver out of necessity at the position. This brought about a less-than-smooth transition for him. In his first season as a college athlete, Doty had to split time between positions. Eventually, Doty started a few games under center to close the season. In his sophomore campaign, he was the projected starter at quarterback but suffered another setback. After an injury in Fall camp, Doty fought to play, but, midway through the season, had foot surgery that cut his season short.
Finally, Doty made his way into 2022 as the backup to Rattler. He was able to stay healthy and learn from a veteran in the way that he, ideally, should have in his freshman season. Now, in 2023, Doty is splitting time between position groups again. This time, however, it is not due to necessity in the wide receiver room. In fact, the receiver group is one of the deepest on the team. Doty simply cannot be kept off the field. So, although Doty still serves as the backup to Rattler, he is seeing significant playing time catching passes. On Saturday, Doty hauled in his first career touchdown reception. He joins a few versatile players at South Carolina who have thrown, rushed for, and caught a touchdown.
The Lens of the Future
Branded “rec specs” will soon be seen among Gamecock fans to celebrate freshman quarterback, Sellers. Much like fake mullets were bought in celebration of Steve Tanneyhill in the mid-1990s. The spectacled Sellers flew under the radar during his recruitment. Then, he had a spectacular senior season at South Florence High School that allowed him to rise in national position among 2023 quarterback prospects. The Gamecocks flipped his commitment from Syracuse to keep the heralded signal caller in his home state.
The buzz from inside of the football building has been glowing since his arrival earlier this Spring. He looked promising during the annual Garnet and Black Spring Game and Summer reports followed suit. A video was released weeks ago of Sellers from preseason camp. He patiently stepped up in the pocket and flicked a high arching deep pass down the right sideline. The football dropped into the arms of the receiver with pinpoint accuracy.
Fast forward to Saturday night when Sellers entered the game for the first time in a Gamecocks uniform. After moving the ball for a first down, Sellers took the last snap of the third quarter. The opposing Furman Paladins pursued Sellers, but he patiently stepped up and moved out to his right. Then, with the flick of his wrist, Sellers fired 50 yards down the right sideline and into the arms of his man running through the end zone. Rattler commented on the Sellers pass during the post-game press conference, “That was a dime!”
At 6’3” and 245 pounds, Sellers also presents a significant running threat. He rushed for 1338 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in high school. The future starter at quarterback has the coaching staff elated. Perhaps the post-Rattler era at South Carolina will see Doty full-time at receiver and Sellers under center.
The triple threat in the South Carolina quarterback room has fans buzzing and rightfully so. Depth at quarterback is a sign of success and, right now, the Gamecocks have it.
Photo courtesy: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
