Saints showing interest in NFL Draft QB prospect who got in trouble with the NCAA earlier in his college career
The New Orleans Saints have been active when it comes to monitoring the rookie quarterback market over the past month. Don't expect that to change as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches for New Orleans and the rest of the league, either. Saints showing interest in QB Hunter Dekkers According to Katherine Terrell, the Saints' new […]
The New Orleans Saints have been active when it comes to monitoring the rookie quarterback market over the past month. Don't expect that to change as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches for New Orleans and the rest of the league, either.
Saints showing interest in QB Hunter Dekkers
According to Katherine Terrell, the Saints' new quarterbacks coach, Scott Tolzien, worked out QB Hunter Dekkers. Dekkers played at Iowa Western Community College last season.
Earlier in his college career, Dekkers was a quarterback for the Iowa State Cyclones. Many saw a bright future ahead of him with ISU. Unfortunately, his time as a Cyclone ended abruptly after he permanently lost his NCAA eligibility due to gambling on Iowa State games.
In August 2023, Dekkers was charged in a state investigation that led to the nation's first major crackdown on college athletes and gambling since a 2018 Supreme Court decision paved the way for legalized sports betting. Dekkers made approximately 366 bets on his mother's DraftKings account totaling $2,799, including a $15 bet in 2021 on Iowa State to beat Oklahoma State, a game when he was on the roster but did not play.
He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of underage gambling. (The legal age to gamble in Iowa is 21, and Dekkers didn't turn 21 until July 4, 2022.) But based on the one Iowa State wager, the NCAA ruled Dekkers permanently ineligible in February 2024. Other athletes who gambled much more money, but not on their sport, received suspensions but retained some eligibility. — ESPN
Dekkers has also been working with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. The long-time football mind has advocated for Dekker's potential and talent so far throughout this NFL Draft process for him.
It will be interesting to see if Dekkers gets drafted. He could also be a priority free agent signing after the draft. No matter what – the Saints clearly have him on their radar.
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