Hunter Dekkers, a former quarterback for the Iowa State Cyclones, has recently signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent following a rookie minicamp tryout. This signing comes on the heels of the unexpected retirement of veteran Saints quarterback Derek Carr due to a shoulder injury. While Dekkers faces an uphill battle as an undrafted rookie, his addition to the Saints' quarterback room, which currently includes Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, creates an intriguing scenario for Iowa State football.
In recent years, Iowa State has seen one of its former quarterbacks achieve notable success in the NFL. Brock Purdy, who preceded Dekkers as the Cyclones' starting quarterback, has become the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers after being drafted as "Mr. Irrelevant" in 2022. Purdy has led the 49ers to significant success, showcasing his talent and resilience.
Dekkers' signing sparks the possibility of having two starting quarterbacks from Iowa State in the NFL within a relatively short timeframe. While Shough, a rookie himself, is currently the favorite to take over Carr's starting role, and Rattler and Haener will compete, Dekkers' arm talent and collegiate experience at Iowa State, followed by a successful season at Iowa Western Community College, provide him with a chance to impress the Saints' coaching staff. If Dekkers were to eventually earn a starting role in the NFL, it would be a remarkable achievement for the Iowa State football program, highlighting its ability to develop quarterbacks for the professional level. This potential duo of former Cyclones leading NFL offenses would undoubtedly be a point of pride for the university and its fans.
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