Spencer Rattler Jr. steps into South Carolina’s 2022 season, and its home opener against Georgia State Saturday night, as one of college football’s most heralded quarterbacks.

There’s plenty of hype about the Oklahoma transfer, who basically has been handed the keys to the Gamecocks offense. He already has been mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate.

The junior is viewed as the key to USC reaching the next level this season after it was revived last year with a 7-6 mark.

Rattler could have a productive outing in his much-anticipated opener. But he likely will be tested by Georgia State’s strong linebacking corps, as well as an upstart secondary led by Antavious Lane, the program’s all-time interception leader.

Rattler can definitely be the difference against Georgia State in a game that easily could emerge as a nail-biter down the stretch.

His stock and upside are certainly on the high end, as he has often been referred to as a top-5 pick in the April NFL Draft.

Could he rewrite some South Carolina passing records this fall?

Last season, Rattler threw for 1,483 yards with 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 9 games, 5 of them starts. He finished with a quarterback rating of 71.6

Heading into 2022, Rattler is healthy and confident, apparently ready to shake any of the inconsistencies that have plagued him in the past.

“I want to sharpen my pre- and post-snap decision making,” said Rattler earlier this summer. “I’m not bad at it, but I want to sharpen up. Everybody’s got to sharpen up at that. If I can do that and just get through my reads, we’ll be OK.”

If he stays healthy, Rattler could have a legitimate shot at breaking the school’s single-season passing mark of 3,564 yards set by Dylan Thompson in 2014.

Should head coach Shane Beamer and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield turn him loose, Rattler will be gunning for the single-game passing mark of 510 yards set by Jake Bentley against Clemson in 2018.

At Oklahoma last season, Rattler threw 5 touchdown passes in a 76-0 victory over Western Carolina. That is the South Carolina record, set by Tommy Suggs in 1968 and tied by a string of quarterbacks.

Rattler should be in the range for the record for single-game pass attempts (59) and completions (39), both set by Steve Taneyhill in 1994.

He also has the potential to break the records for attempts (451) and completions (270) for a year, both set by Thompson in 2014. Rattler will be on the radar for completion percentage in a season (67.5), a mark established by Connor Shaw in 2012.

In 2 seasons, Rattler would have to accumulate more than 9,953 yards, the school record set by Todd Ellis from 1986-89. It’s safe to say that it is a longshot at the moment.

Should Rattler maintain his accuracy and poise, he’ll work his way into the program’s record books.

“We’re looking for accuracy first and foremost at the quarterback position,” said Beamer. “In today’s game, you have to be athletic enough to get yourself out of trouble. You also have to have the competitive spirit and leadership qualities.

“Being around Spencer at Oklahoma, I knew he had what we were looking for.”