The 2024 NFL Draft broke quarterback records in more ways than one. After an unprecedented six quarterbacks came off the board within the first 12 picks, it took a record 138-pick drought before another signal-caller was selected.
The Saints broke the drought, taking South Carolina's Spencer Rattler with the No. 150 pick and adding him to a quarterback room that features an unproven Jake Haener behind starter Derek Carr.
The draft might not have gone so long without a quarterback had it not been for a reality TV show that Rattler was a part of in high school. Rattler's demeanor on the show raised red flags for teams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and it was a factor in his surprising fall to the fifth round.
Here's what you need to know about the "QB1" reality show featuring Rattler and why it caused so many concerns around the NFL.
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Spencer Rattler reality TV show
Rattler was featured in the third season of Netflix's "QB1: Beyond the Lights" in 2019, when he was a highly-touted high school prospect.
The show ran three seasons on Netflix and was picked up by Tubi for a fourth season in 2023. Justin Fields, Sam Hartman, and Jake Fromm were featured in earlier seasons, while the 2023 edition featured a look back at the high school careers of Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson after they were drafted.
Rattler's behavior and demeanor on the show left a bad impression on NFL teams, according to Rapoport, despite it being filmed five years ago.
"It did not make him look great," Rapoport said. "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."
"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."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 27, 2024
Ian Rapoport on how a reality show filmed in high school is hurting Spencer Rattler now. pic.twitter.com/51n8nZA070
It was revealed on the show that Rattler was made ineligible for part of the 2018 season due to a rules violation, with his father explaining that there was "nothing on his permanent record" while declining to detail what his son did to prompt the suspension.
MORE: How Spencer Rattler fits on Saints' depth chart
It's a fascinating storyline for a talented player who struggled to put it all together at the college level, but it's likely not the only factor in Rattler's slide. Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat was selected higher than expected on Friday just weeks after an arrest for suspicion of DWI. Talent typically supersedes character concerns in the NFL Draft, and the concerns surrounding Rattler at least seem to be a bit dated.
Here's a closer look at what might Rattler might have done that rubbed teams the wrong way.
What did Spencer Rattler do?
It isn't clear what Rattler did to prompt a suspension during his high school football career, but the offense was labeled "childish" and a "mistake" by Rattler on the show.
One clip from the series also shows Rattler complaining about his teammates at one point. For a player who had some attitude concerns at Oklahoma, Rattler's demeanor as a high schooler evidently didn't do his stock any favors.
Outside of "QB1," Rattler's attitude has continued to raise some eyebrows. The former Sooners quarterback called his situation at Oklahoma "toxic" after he transferred to South Carolina in 2022, taking issue with his benching for Caleb Williams.
"We won a championship the year before and were going to win another one. I could go on and on," Rattler told ESPN.
By all accounts, Rattler grew up a bit with the Gamecocks. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer shot down speculation that Rattler's work ethic and attitude were a concern on Saturday, calling rumors "tired" and "lazy."
Such a tired , lazy narrative. And bullcrap
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) April 27, 2024
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
Regardless, Rattler has a clean slate in the NFL. He won't be given a chance to start early in his career with the Saints, knowing Carr is locked in as New Orleans' top quarterback, but the opportunity to develop behind a well-regarded leader is one Rattler can take advantage of going forward.
