With Spencer Rattler potentially making his NFL debut, a look back at previous South Carolina QBs in the league

It’s no secret: if Spencer Rattler has a successful NFL career, he will be one of just a small number of former South Carolina quarterbacks to make an impact in the league. His first opportunity to do so could be coming soon, though, as the New Orleans Saints rookie is a candidate to start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in place of an injured Derek Carr.

Before Rattler, only three USC quarterbacks ever heard their names called in the NFL Draft. Only two happened in the last 50 years. None of the three were selected with picks that still exist in the modern, 7-round NFL Draft.

Back in 1990, the Denver Broncos selected Todd Ellis, and Jeff Grantz went to the Miami Dolphins in 1976. Neither Ellis (9th round) nor Grantz (17th round) ever played in the NFL. Ellis, instead, played briefly in the World League of American Football, and Grantz retired after a preseason switch to receiver. The Cleveland Browns, way back in 1954, selected Johnny Gramling in the 24th round, but he never played, either.

Others, namely Anthony Wright and Connor Shaw, went undrafted but eventually earned NFL starts.

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Wright had a long NFL career and made 19 starts. The Baltimore Ravens also started Wright at quarterback in a 2003 postseason contest. Spending most of his career with Baltimore and the Dallas Cowboys, Wright threw 20 career touchdowns. However, he won a Super Bowl ring as a backup for the 2007 New York Giants.

Shaw spent four years with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears. His lone start came in the season finale of his rookie year with the Browns. Head coach Mike Pettine called Shaw’s number after both Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer suffered minor injuries and failed to play well in a back-and-forth quarterback battle the previous 15 games. Partially due to injuries, Shaw didn’t play again after that start.

Mike Hold signed a couple of free agent contracts in the NFL but became a legend in the Arena Football League. He tossed a pair of touchdowns with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before throwing 118 of them for nine AFL franchises.

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Another former Gamecock quarterback was drafted, just at a different position. Columbia native Corey Jenkins was selected as a defender after shifting to safety during his senior year at South Carolina. The 6th-round pick played 23 games with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears as a reserve linebacker.

Alex Hawkins, a player who spent most of his time at running back with South Carolina, was the 13th overall pick back in 1959. In ’59, though, the 13th selection was part of the 2nd round. Hawkins played some quarterback with the Gamecocks, as well, and he chipped in at corner and kicker. During his 10 years in the NFL, he split his time between running back and receiver but was a special teams dynamo and the NFL’s first special teams captain.

Dan Reeves owns the distinction of being the former South Carolina quarterback with the best NFL career. However, after going undrafted in 1965, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a safety. Reeves quickly moved back to the offensive side of the ball, though, and was an excellent running back and slot receiver who posted back-to-back seasons with over 1000 yards from scrimmage, including an All-Pro selection in his second year after amassing over 1300 yards and 16 scores. Injuries forced him into becoming a backup before beginning an excellent coaching career. Reeves won championships as a player (Super Bowl VI) and as an assistant coach (Super Bowl XII). He coached in four more Super Bowls as a head coach (Super Bowls XXI, XXII, XXIV, and XXXIII).

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Spencer Rattler is up next. Now wearing No. 18 instead of his old No. 7, the Gamecock great should be active this Sunday.

The Saints are expected to either start Rattler or Jake Haener. Haener initially replaced Carr after the veteran’s injury last weekend. However, he struggled, and Saints fans are clamoring for Rattler. The former Gamecock had a solid preseason and drew significant praise from his teammates. Even if he doesn’t start the game, Rattler could play if Haener struggles again.

The Saints and Bucs kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET in New Orleans. Fans can tune in on Fox or the FoxSports app.

EDIT: Spencer Rattler will start this Sunday for the Saints.

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