2023 NFL Draft: Prospects with the Most to Prove in 2022

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

Once in discussion as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Rattler has witnessed a mighty fall from the top. The gunslinger first gained recognition as a member of the Netflix special — QB1 — where he displayed a natural throwing ability and tantalizing frame for a quarterback. Off the field issues led to him being benched for the remainder of his final high school season, but this did not stop Rattler from earning a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma from head coach Lincoln Riley. His career began with mop up duty in blowouts, but in 2020 he assumed full QB1 responsibilities. Rattler went 9-2 as starter, tossing over 3000 yards through the air and possessing a sparkling 28:7 TD-INT ratio.

You’re seeing why he was so hyped heading into his junior campaign. Unfortunately for Rattler, he did not make it through the entire 2021 season as the starter. After some shaky performances to open the season, Caleb Williams took over in the Red River Rivalry, leading a historic comeback. The rest is, as they say, history. Now, not a single one of Riley, Williams, or Rattler are with the Sooners. Spencer Rattler announced his intentions to transfer to another program, in an effort to resuscitate his flailing NFL Draft stock.

This decision led him to the SEC and the University of South Carolina. Head coach Shane Beamer is an up-and-coming offensive mind in the coaching ranks, having served as an assistant at Oklahoma during the same time Rattler was there. South Carolina doesn’t have tons of NFL talent on the roster, but given the fact that they are in the eastern division of the SEC, they should be able to compete as long as Rattler does his part. The former five-star recruit has exceptional arm strength, underrated mobility, and his ability to make off platform throws is what makes him special. With that comes a decent amount of ill-advised throws. The key will be finding a fine line between the brilliant plays, and the headscratchers. Think Carson Wentz. Can Rattler place himself back in the good graces of NFL scouts? Only time will tell.

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Another former five-star quarterback that entered the transfer portal and will be playing at a different school this coming fall is Bo Nix. Nix famously won a quarterback competition with then Auburn quarterback, Malik Willis, while Nix was a true freshman. This led to immediate success for the program. Behind Nix, Auburn won the Iron Bowl in 2019, which led to a post game interview where head coach Gus Malzahn predicted multiple national championships during Nix’s time with the Tigers. Alas, the pair did not win a championship, nor did they even win a bowl game. Now, Malzahn is the leader of the UCF program and Nix dons a beautiful Oregon Ducks jersey.

Nix’s best traits align perfectly with what Oregon does on offense. He is capable of getting out of the pocket and creating with his legs, in fact that’s the biggest selling point of his game. He has plenty of arm talent, and will make NFL caliber throws when he keeps his mechanics tight. In order to re-emerge on NFL Draft radars, he must improve the consistency with said mechanics. There are times that Nix believes he can fit a throw in a window that simply doesn’t exist. While I admire the confidence, it has led to turnovers and drive-killing incompletions many times. Can he take the next step of development in a more quarterback friendly system versus lesser talent in the PAC-12?