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Oklahoma-committed quarterback Spencer Rattler had part of the Phoenix Pinnacle gymnasium stands filled with supporters Monday for his All-American jersey presentation.

On Jan. 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, it will be his first football game since becoming ineligible for violating an undisclosed Paradise Valley Unified School District code of conduct rule before the Pioneers played Scottsdale Chaparral in an ESPNU-televised game on Oct. 19, which was senior night for Pinnacle.

He was ineligible to compete in sports for 30 days. That period is over now.

The top-rated 2019 pro-style quarterback in the nation is 18 pounds heavier, committed to the weight room and working out with his personal quarterback coach, Mike Giovando, as he looks ahead to playing in the game that features the country’s top senior football players.

“My goal is to put on a show this game,” said Rattler, who became Arizona’s first 11,000-yard high school passer, before his season got derailed by an off-the-field mistake that he says has refocused him.

He deflected questions on what what happened that made him ineligible.

“I really don’t have any comment about it,” Rattler said.

Rattler has been the subject of either support or critical shots in the magnifying glass of social media since his season ended prematurely.

“Knowing the platform I have, I just have to be smart and focus in and work harder,” he said.

After Rattler became ineligible, his dad and him did not know how to approach it, and  Spencer said he had a knee sprain that would keep him out for awhile.

Less than a week later, Mike Rattler, Spencer’s dad, came forward to azcentral sports about his son becoming ineligible for a code of conduct violation.

Neither have addressed what happened. Coaches and administrators did not address it, citing the Federal Act that protects students’ privacy.

“We don’t need to address it,” Mike said. “We feel like it’s something that is not on his record. The bottom line is that he was out for 30 days. He was not suspended. He was ineligible to play, and unfortunately it was during the playoff run. If it had been a month before, he would have been playing in the playoffs.”

With junior quarterback J.D. Johnson leading the offense, Pinnacle reached the 6A semifinals, before losing to Gilbert Perry 45-14. Johnson, along with basketball star Nico Mannion, were among the Pinnacle students at Rattler’s jersey presentation on Monday.

Rattler, 18, still supported his football teammates while he served his 30 days of being ineligible.

“He’s moving forward,” Mike Rattler said.

Spencer Rattler said he’s been working hard to stay in shape, adding the weight and strength that will help him compete for a starting spot next season at Oklahoma. About a month ago, he took his official visit to Oklahoma, and received a great reception, Mike Rattler said.

Spencer intends on signing his national letter of intent with the Sooners on Dec. 19.

“I think it’s refocused him more,” Mike said of his son’s season ending before the ESPNU game. “You know kids float around. When things are going easy, they take it for granted. They don’t realize how big their platforms are. So when you face adversity, it centers them.

“He’s been driven. He’s gained 18 pounds since October. He’s really put work in. The goal was go there at 205 or 210. Physically, he should be ready.”

Mike said his son took the adversity well.

“It wasn’t anything that was going to derail him from his goal,” Mike said. “The unfortunate part was that he wasn’t able to finish with his team. Other than that, he’s moving full steam ahead.”

Mike Rattler said the most unusual request of somebody trying to entice his son away from Oklahoma was the Angels major league baseball team reaching out.

“They’re trying to get athletes, and they want him to come up and do a combine,” Mike said. “I had that call a couple of weeks ago. They’re serious.”

Rattler said his focus is on the All-American game and Oklahoma.

“I just learned from it and moved forward,” Rattler said about what led to his ineligibility. “That’s way past me now. I’m ready for the future and seeing what’s in front of me.

“It put a fire under  me. After that happened, I’ve been grinding and I’m the best player I can be now. I’m just getting better and better.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.

 

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