Former Pinnacle standout Spencer Rattler to start for the New Orleans Saints

Spencer Rattler will get his first taste of the NFL on Sunday.

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced the rookie quarterback will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rattler will start in place of Derek Carr, who's dealing with an oblique injury. New Orleans chose Rattler over backup Jake Haener, who is in his second season.

The Saints drafted the former Phoenix Pinnacle quarterback in the fifth round as the 150th selection of this year's draft.

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A former five-star prospect, Rattler began his collegiate career at Oklahoma before transferring to South Carolina after losing his starting job to current Chicago Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams. Rattler finished his collegiate career throwing for 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Rattler will be the first rookie quarterback selected outside the first round to start a game this season.

Rattler's appearance comes on the heels of fellow Phoenix-area quarterback Kyle Allen (Desert Mountain) completing his only pass as a one-play injury replacement in the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. And, as the Valley football fans already are well aware, Brock Purdy (Gilbert Perry High) continues in his starting role with the San Francisco 49ers.