COLUMBIA — The focus for many regarding former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler in the 2024 NFL draft was the lingering question of why he was a fifth-round pick. There were debates about his character after projections and mock drafts that once had Rattler going as early as the first round, turned out to be incorrect.

Rattler eventually was selected No. 150 overall by the New Orleans Saints. Even with a quarterback-filled first round, and two days of sitting on the couch with no phone call from an NFL team, Rattler said in an interview with the Saints, that none of that really mattered.

"At the end of the day, its a blessing to get picked wherever," Rattler said Sunday. "You know we were waiting around a day or two, but I had faith my name was going to picked (Saturday) and was just looking forward to it. We were going to be excited no matter what when my name was called."

"Finally" was a word used frequently regarding Rattler, along with the assumption that the waiting game affected him as much it filled storylines. But Rattler didn't give in. Asked about "finally hearing his name called" and what he makes of the pick, Rattler gave a statement of gratitude.

"Very excited, very blessed. It's been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," Rattler said. "Blessed to be here, blessed that the Saints picked me."

The Saints were one of the many teams Rattler met with before the draft. After what he described as amazing vibes and great meetings with the quarterback coach and other staff members, Rattler knew the Saints liked him.

"Definitely clicked with them and very glad they came and got me," Rattler added.

Spencer Rattler on the first-round quarterback picks

Rattler played in February in the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl, where he was named MVP of the game. The Senior Bowl also featured quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and Bo Nix (Oregon). Penix was selected No. 8 overall by the Atlanta Falcons, and Nix was picked No. 12 by the Denver Broncos, a team that was potentially interested in Rattler.

"Those are all good players, good quarterbacks. Whatever teams felt like they needed to make that pick, they did," Rattler said. "You got to control what you can. That is something I live by, and I knew my time would come. I'm ready to get to work and take advantage of every opportunity."

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Spencer Rattler unfazed after dropping to Saints, 5th round of NFL Draft