Lincoln Riley's Plan to Let Spencer Rattler Grow Under Jalen Hurts is Genius

Yes, Lincoln Riley announcing on Monday that Jalen Hurts will be the Oklahoma Sooners' starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season is huge news for the head coach's offense considering the success the former Alabama gunslinger enjoyed in Tuscaloosa.

However, there is one underlying victory that a plethora of pundits are failing tor realize: Riley's brilliant plan to let true freshman Spencer Rattler become Hurts' understudy.

Rattler was the No. 1 pro-style QB recruit in the 2019 class, but there's been on-going debates questioning if the young prospect is ready to go toe-to-toe with the offensive juggernauts of the Big 12.

Everybody and their mother knows just how prestigious QB whisperer Riley is -- his last two quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, were Heisman Trophy winners. Rattler could truly learn wonders on the bench to start the campaign.

We aren't even denying the possibility of Rattler potentially replacing Hurts this upcoming season. Whatever the case, throwing the 2018 High School Quarterback of the Year into the fire right off the bat will do next to nothing for his maturity and progression.

Just look at what Tua Tagovailoa was able to accomplish in the limited time was Hurts' back-up with the Crimson Tide.

Jalen being awarded the nod is a blessing in disguise, and a potentially significant one at that, for Rattler and his future.