Former South Carolina Gamecock Spencer Rattler is a strong candidate to start for the New Orleans Saints.

Saints rookie and former Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler is reportedly a “strong candidate” to start for the New Orleans Saints in their upcoming October 13 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rappaport of NFL Network.

The news comes as Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr is expected to miss multiple weeks after with an oblique injury. Rattler will be in consideration along with teammate Jake Haener. Haener saw relief action in New Orleans’ Monday night loss to the Chiefs, completing two of seven passes for 17 yards. 

Rattler was impressive during the NFL preseason and many felt that the former Gamecock could end up being the steal of the entire draft. He finished his college career with two impressive seasons at South Carolina, and now his talent is showing up at the NFL level as well.

After two seasons at South Carolina, Rattler was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 150th selection. If he gets the call the rookie would be seeing his first live in game action of his young career.

You Might Also Like:

Join the community:

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!

A South Carolina death row inmate is being required to choose between a firing squad, lethal injection and the electric chair for his Nov. 1 execution.

Richard Moore, 59, was convicted of the murder of James Mahoney, a convenience store worker, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in September 1999. 

In 2001, Moore was found guilty of murder, aggravated assault with the intent to kill, armed robbery, and a violation involving a handgun.

The 59-year-old now has until Oct. 18 to decide the way to end his life. If he does not choose, he will be electrocuted.

SOUTH CAROLINA INMATE DIES BY LETHAL INJECTION, ENDING STATE’S 13-YEAR PAUSE ON EXECUTIONS

According to a certified letter sent to Moore, prison officials said that the state’s electric chair, which was built in 1912, was tested Sept. 3, and was found in working order.

South Carolina formerly used a mix of three drugs but now will use one drug, the sedative pentobarbital, for lethal injections.

BIPARTISAN GROUP OF TEXAS LAWMAKERS DEMAND CONVICTED KILLER’S EXECUTION BE HALTED: ‘SERIOUS DOUBTS’

The firing squad method has been allowed in South Carolina, since 2021. Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah and Idaho are the only other states that allow the firing squad method.

South Carolina Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said that three volunteers have the training and ammunition needed if Moore chooses this route. The three volunteers were trained to fire at a target placed in the heart from 15 feet (4.6 meters) away.

South Carolina’s death chamber in Columbia, SC. (South Carolina’s Department of Corrections)

South Carolina has put 44 inmates to death since the death penalty was restarted in the U.S. in 1976. In the early 2000s, it was carrying out an average of three executions a year.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Moore plans to ask Republican Gov. Henry McMaster for mercy and to reduce his sentence to life without parole. No South Carolina governor has ever granted clemency.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

South Carolina is set to go on the road to take on a top 10 Alabama with both squads looking for a win following a tough loss. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer spoke with the media on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming matchup, Bengally Kamara’s departure, and more.

Starting with the game against Alabama, Coach Beamer spoke on his respect for the staff and what they’ve done so far.

“They’re well coached. They have good schemes. Big challenege for us on all three phases, but I know our guys are eager to go over there and compete.”

The biggest news of the day came Tuesday morning when news broke of backup LB Bengally Kamara deciding to redshirt and enter the transfer portal. Coach Beamer was asked about the situation and what went behind the final decision.

“He came in my office yesterday and told me he was redshirting,” Coach Beamer said. “I told him that’s not quite how this works. That we could have a discussion about his role and is redshirting best. My job is to do what’s best for the team and what was best for the team in my mind was Gally conitnuing to play and help us try to beat Alabama this weekend. He didn’t quite feel the same way. I made the decision for him that it was probably best to move on. I met with some of the leaders of our defense to make sure they were on the same page with my decision and they were 100 percent on board.”

With Kamara now away from the program, the topic of depth in the linebacker room came up. Coach Beamer was quick to acknowledge his guys in that room and how he trusts them going forward.

Mo Kaba (Mohamed Kaba), Fred Johnson. Debo (Williams), Bam (Martin-Scott) D-Knight (Demetrius Knight), and Gally, those four guys all rotated through. So we’re fortunate that we still have D-Knight, Debo, and Bam and then Mo Kaba has played a lot of football for us. Fred Johnson is a guy that is doing a great job on special teams and will continue to come along.”

South Carolina has seen an uptick in the number of penalties they’ve received. So far through five games, the Gamecocks rank 117th in the country averaging 8.20 penalties per game, which is up from 7.1 just a year ago. Coach Beamer spoke on the ways the team is working on getting those numbers down.

“It’s just constantly educating, holding guys accountable, which we do whether it be pre-snap, post-snap, during the snap. Really just trying to emphasize and teach better than we have throughout the week, meetings and practice.”

South Carolina will kickoff against the Tide on Saturday at noon on ABC.

You Might Also Like:

Join the community:

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!