Four-star signee Braden Davis welcomes Spencer Rattler to Gamecocks’ QB room
The last few days have been eventful for Braden Davis — to say the least.
On Saturday, the Middletown High senior quarterback led his team to a Delaware Class 3A state title, throwing the game-winning touchdown. On Wednesday morning, Davis was the very first South Carolina football recruit to sign with the Gamecocks on early signing day.
In between, Davis heard the same news that every college football fan in the country heard — that Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler was transferring to the Gamecocks.
Even though he knew Rattler would be competing with him directly in the quarterbacks room, Davis in a radio interview with 107.5 The Game in Columbia said Rattler’s signing only added to his excitement.
“I think it’s great,” Davis said. “I think he can only help the program. I think it’s gonna be awesome to be able to sit behind somebody who has experience and has played at a really high level in the past.”
Make no mistake, the Gamecocks are excited about adding Davis to their quarterback room, too. The four-star recruit signed with USC over 23 other offers from Power 5 schools after initially committing in April. He’s expected to report to campus on Jan. 5 as an early enrollee.
At 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Davis possesses a projectable frame as well as enticing athleticism, running a 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds, according to 247Sports. He also has strong bloodlines, with father Antone Davis starring at Tennessee and in the NFL as an offensive lineman.
Speaking about the team’s signees on Wednesday, coach Shane Beamer highlighted Davis’ intangibles and leadership abilities.
“He’s a winner,” Beamer said. “Really just impressive as a person, his intelligence at the quarterback position, his size, 6-foot-5, every bit of it and growing, close to 200 pounds. Right now he can run, and he’s gotten better as a passer in the last year as well. You can tell how hard he’s worked at it, so I’m excited. He’s got a huge upside.”
Though starting jobs aren’t handed out in December, Rattler is the odds-on favorite to start at quarterback for the Gamecocks next season, even though he’s coming off a down year with the Sooners.
Still, Davis said he intends to compete for the job.
“It’s going to be awesome to compete with him and honestly compete for that job right away,” Davis said, “but also just learn things that he brings to the table.”
