NFL Insider Reports the Odd Reason QB Spencer Rattler Slipped in 2024 Draft

Mike McDaniel | Apr 27, 2024

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (QB10) during the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 150th pick in the fifth round of Saturday's NFL draft.

Rattler's selection by the Saints ended a modern day NFL draft record of 138 picks separating quarterback selections. Rattler was the first quarterback taken since the Denver Broncos selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick on Thursday night.

So, why did Rattler slide down draft boards? One key reason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, was due to Rattler's demeanor when he was featured as a high school quarterback on the Netflix show QB1: Beyond the Lights.

"This is kind of weird to say, honestly," Rapoport couched. "Rattler did a reality show in high school called QB1: Beyond the Lights. 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 that they can't get it out of their heads, which I think would be a public service announcement to all 17-year-olds. But it is fascinating as teams weigh whether or not to draft him."

"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

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 27, 2024

Rattler's fall being based on a reality television show from six years ago seems a bit preposterous, especially considering he was a teenager when that was filmed.

For what it's worth, Rattler's college coach, South Carolina's Shane Beamer, blasted the notion that Rattler was not a good teammate.

Such a tired , lazy narrative. And bullcrap

None of the NFL teams that called me said that….And any team that thinks that clearly hasn’t done their research

He dealt w adversity at OU in a class way , came to SC , was a great player and was voted by his TEAMMATES as a… https://t.co/9w3tTgjtzD

— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) April 27, 2024

Beamer was also among the first to congratulate Rattler when he was drafted by the Saints on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks for the amazing moments we’ve shared together since 2019 at @GamecockFB & Oklahoma

You’re a great teammate , player & person !

You got a great one @Saints -Your best 🏈 is in front of you @SpencerRattler https://t.co/32ig6fay86

— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) April 27, 2024

Rattler completed 68.5% of his passes for 10,807 yards and 77 touchdowns to 32 interceptions in his college career at Oklahoma and South Carolina.

It will certainly be interesting to see how his professional career unfolds.