Recruit ratings: Where Spencer Rattler ranks among South Carolina QB history
South Carolina made national waves Monday night with quarterback Spencer Rattler announcing he’s going to transfer to the Gamecocks and play for Shane Beamer.
What it means for the Gamecocks’ QB room is to be determined, but the decision does make a bit of recruiting history: Rattler becomes South Carolina’s first five-star quarterback.
Rivals billed him as the nation’s No. 1 QB and 13th overall recruit nationally when he signed with Oklahoma in 2019. The 247Sports Composite, which factors in all rankings, was in agreement — with Rattler coming in as the 11th best recruit in the country.
The Gamecocks have signed nine four-star quarterbacks since Steve Spurrier’s first class on 2005, according to Rivals. Before Rattler, the highest-rated QB signees have been Ryan Hilinski (2019), Luke Doty (2020) and Stephen Garcia (2007).
A few things to keep in mind:
▪ Ranking recruits is in inexact science. Rivals graded Connor Shaw a three-star signee in the 2010 class — he went on to win the most games of any QB in program history.
▪ Five of USC’s nine four-star signees left the program via transfer.
▪ Rivals views this year’s 2022 QB commitment, Braden Davis of Middletown, Delaware, a three-star recruit. He grades out as a four-star via the 247Sports Composite and is an Under Armour All-American.
Here’s how the last 23 quarterbacks to join the Gamecocks were rated in the eyes of Rivals, which assigns a score rating after evaluating prospects, ranging from 5.2 to 6.1 (6.1 = 5 stars; 5.8 to 6.0 = 4 stars; 5.5 to 5.7 = 3-stars; 5.2 to 5.4 = 2-stars).
Five stars
6.1 - Spencer Rattler (joining USC in 2022) * committed, not signed
Four stars
6.0 - Ryan Hilinski (2019)
5.9 - Luke Doty (2020)
5.9 - Stephen Garcia (2007)
5.8 - Colten Gauthier (2021)
5.8 - Dakereon Joyner (2018)
5.8 - Brandon McIlwain (2016)
5.8 - Lorenzo Nunez (2015)
5.8 - Connor Mitch (2013)
5.8 - Chris Smelley (2006)
Three stars
5.7 - Jay Urich (2017)
5.7 - Connor Shaw (2010)
5.7 - Tanner McEvoy (2011)
5.6 - Braden Davis (2022)* Committed, not signed
5.6 - Brendan Nosovitch (2012)
5.6 - Aramis Hillary (2008)
5.5 - Michael Scarnecchia (2014)
5.5 - Andrew Clifford (2009)
5.5 - Reid McCollum (2008)
Two stars
5.4 - Dylan Thompson (2010)
5.4 - Cade Thompson (2005)
5.0 - Tommy Beecher (2005)
No stars
Jason Brown (joined USC in 2021) *Brown was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports
More on the Rivals rating system
The ranking system ranks prospects on a numerical scale from 6.1 to 5.2:
6.1 Franchise Player: considered one of the elite prospects in the country, generally among the nation’s top 30-35 players overall, a potential first-team All American candidate and a player deemed to have first round NFL potential.
6.0-5.8 All American Candidate: considered one of the next-tier elite prospects in the country, generally among the nation’s top 300-325 prospects overall, a national All American candidate and a player deemed to have first to third round NFL potential
5.7-5.5 All Region Selection: considered among the region’s top prospects and generally among the nation’s top 800-850 prospects overall, a potential All-Conference candidate and a player deemed to have mid to low-end pro potential and ability to impact at the college level.
5.2-5.4 Low End FBS prospect: considered a mid-major prospect with limited pro potential and expected to contribute 1-2 years at a high level maximum or often as a role player.
