BEN HUTCHENS Iowa State University beat reporter
AMES — A winding college journey has arrived to the NFL.
Monday, Former Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to a report by Nick Underhill. The details of the deal are unknown at this time.
Dekkers, a highly touted high school recruit from Hawarden, Iowa, started his college career at Iowa State and played three seasons at ISU from 2020-22. In summer 2023, Dekkers was one of seven Cyclone football players charged after a probe into illegal sports betting. Dekkers, who would have been ISU's starting quarterback in 2023, lost his NCAA eligibility over what he told ESPN was a $15 bet on an ISU football game in 2021 where he was the backup quarterback.
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After the scandal, Dekkers transferred to Iowa Western Community College, a JUCO in Council Bluffs.
Dekkers led Iowa Western to the JUCO national championship game, where the Reivers lost 28-23 vs Hutchinson Community College. Dekkers completed 64.1% of his passes last season, throwing for 292.8 yards per game and 32 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Out of high school, ESPN and 247 Sports ranked Dekkers as a four-star recruit. He was the best prospect in Iowa after shattering state records in passing yardage (10,628) and passing touchdowns (126).
ISU football coach Matt Campbell said he texted Dekkers before the JUCO Championship, telling Dekkers how proud he is of him.
Following the retirement of Saints veteran quarterback Derek Carr, Dekkers joins second-round 2025 draft pick Tyler Shough, former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler and former Fresno State signalcaller Jake Heaner in a battle for snaps.
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Ben Hutchens is an Iowa State University beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at Ben.Hutchens@lee.net.
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