After spending quite some time being listed as the "best quarterback available" (the gap between Bo Nix being picked at #12 to Rattler being picked at #150 was the largest in the history of the NFL Draft for the quarterback position), South Carolina football star Spencer Rattler was taken in the 5th round of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.
In a way that is unfair to Rattler after his maturation in recent years, the Gamecock gunslinger has been a polarizing figure leading up to the draft, but most of the reactions to his selection have been positive (though, one ESPN reporter got BLASTED by Shane Beamer for his take on Rattler).
Fans of the Gamecocks and Saints and faces from around the football world had good things to say about Rattler and seem to be optimistic about what he can do at the next level in New Orleans.
The @Saints just took the QB Steal of the Draft in Spencer Rattler. Let him sit behind Derek Carr and adjust to the NFL life because he already has the concepts down from playing at @GamecockFB for @CoachSBeamer
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 27, 2024
pic.twitter.com/tweR8ihNoH
Steal of the draft. https://t.co/FW6J8bAnD8
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) April 27, 2024
Spencer Rattler has some of the BEST arm talent of ALL TIME. The #Saints just got an absolute steal.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 27, 2024
A cut up of his most unbelievable throws: pic.twitter.com/4tKGyhl77P
Me after the #Saints drafted Spencer Rattler ⚜️💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/qEXbjIPPM6
— 504Maniac 🤟🏾⚜️ (@souljaslimy) April 27, 2024
Rattler won over the hearts of South Carolina football fans during his two years in Columbia with his high character, impressive leadership, and never-quit attitude. Those same traits will follow him into the NFL, and he will become a very popular player in no time at all in the Big Easy.
The situation is good for Rattler in New Orleans, as well, as veteran quarterback Derek Carr is the current starter. Rattler will have the opportunity to sit and learn behind Carr until he is ready to challenge for the starting job.
Rattler was the second South Carolina football alum drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, following his top target, wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was taken with the 32nd pick of the 1st round by the Carolina Panthers.
The rest of the Gamecock NFL Draft hopefuls will be following along for the rest of the draft. Fans can watch the broadcast on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2 and can stream the draft action on the ESPN app.