Spencer Rattler holds annual youth camp in SC, provides update on adjusting to NFL
A month after being drafted in the fifth round by the New Orleans Saints, former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was back in Columbia on Saturday to hold his annual youth football camp.
“I say that it’s my home away from home. Columbia gave so much to me,” said Rattler. “The fanbase, the coaches, everything. Any chance where I can giveback and do this, I will.”
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Since being drafted, Rattler has been staying busy. Two weeks after hearing his name called in the draft, he took part in rookie minicamp for the Saints on May 10-12. Currently, the Saints are in the middle of holding organized team activities, which run on May 21-23, May 28-30, and June 3-6. So far, Rattler has been very pleased with how things are going.
“Amazing. Just how I would want it to go. Just coming in and being a sponge to guys like Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Nathan Peterman — a great QB room to learn from. We’ve had a great rookie minicamp and a great first three OTAs.”
Carr, who is in his second year with the Saints, is entering his 11th season in the NFL. While the veteran QB is no stranger to competition, Rattler says he’s been a great teammate to learn from.
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“Just all the little things. There’s so much game that he’s put me on in just the couple of weeks that I’ve been with him. Really, just anything that he has to say and the mental reps that I’ve been able to take and get to watch. He’s been amazing and everyone else as well. It’s been a fun new change.”
One thing that Rattler has been consistent on for months is his praise for his former South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and how much it’s prepared him for the next level. Working under Loggains’ tutelage, Rattler threw for a career-high 3,186 yards and 19 touchdown passes. He also rushed for four touchdowns and improved his rushing yards by more than double from his first season with the Gamecocks.
“(It’s been) very (beneficial). A lot of the verbiage is similar, if not the same. Obviously there’s much more in the (Mike) Shanahan tree that we’re running but I’ve been loving learning this stuff. It’s legit and I love it.”
