Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, once a heralded five-star recruit, experienced a surprising tumble in the 2024 NFL Draft, finally landing with the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round as the 150th overall pick. Rattler, who boasted impressive collegiate statistics with 3,186 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his final season, seemed to be a promising draft pick after a commendable performance at the Senior Bowl where he was named MVP. His journey included a high-profile transfer from Oklahoma to South Carolina, where his performance was solid yet unspectacular with a 13-12 record for the Gamecocks. Despite the accolades and a proven track record, Rattler’s fall in the draft was unexpected, sparking speculation about the factors that influenced NFL teams’ reluctance to pick him earlier.
"It did not make him look great. And it is unbelievable how many different teams mentioned to me the image of him in that show and how they can't get it out of their heads."
Ian Rapoport on how a reality show filmed in high school is hurting Spencer Rattler now. pic.twitter.com/51n8nZA070
The reasons behind Rattler’s slide are multifaceted. Prominent among these was the strategic choices of NFL teams regarding quarterback selections. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rattler’s decline was less about his past performances or the reality show he participated in at 17, and more about the draft dynamics. Schefter explained that Rattler’s top potential suitors, the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, opted to fill their quarterback needs early in the first round, selecting Bo Nix and Michael Penix, respectively. This strategic move left Rattler sidelined until the later rounds, as his main advocates had already secured their new quarterbacks. Now, as part of a crowded quarterback room in New Orleans, Rattler faces the challenge of distinguishing himself among players like starter Derek Carr and backups Nathan Peterman, Jake Haener & Kellen Mond.
