Football . April 27, 2024

Spencer Rattler Selected by New Orleans in the Fifth Round of the NFL Draft

University of South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 15th pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the 150th player taken overall.

Rattler, who measured in at 6-0 ¼ and 211 pounds on the Gamecocks’ Pro Day in March, spent his last two seasons in Columbia after beginning his collegiate career at Oklahoma. He finished his Gamecock career ranked first in completion percentage (67.5), fifth in career passing yards (6,212), fifth in career completions (523), and ninth in career passing touchdowns (37).

A two-time team captain, Rattler was a two-time winner of the Steve Wadiak Team MVP Award, sharing the honor in 2023 with Xavier Legette. As a senior, he completed 275-of-389 passes for 3,186 yards with 19 touchdowns. He set the school’s single-season record for completions and completion percentage (68.9), while logging five 300-yard passing games. He capped his senior year by being selected as the Reese’s Senior Bowl MVP.

The Phoenix, Ariz., product played in 48 career games over five seasons, posting a 28-14 record in 42 career starts. He completed 900-of-1313 passes (68.5 pct.) for 10,807 yards and 77 touchdowns.

There goes that man 🤙@SpencerRattler | @Saints | #NFLDraft2024 pic.twitter.com/M2Y6ZJP1Mx

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 27, 2024

Rattler, who earned a degree in disciplinary studies, is the first Gamecock quarterback selected in the NFL Draft since Todd Ellis was taken by the Denver Broncos in the ninth round of the 1990 draft. He is the first Gamecock selected by the Saints since defensive back Earl Johnson was taken in the ninth round of the 1985 draft.

Rattler is the second Gamecock selected in the 2024 NFL Draft joining wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 32nd pick in the first round.