Hunter Dekkers, who lost his NCAA eligibility for betting on his own team in college, was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, the team announced Tuesday.

The Saints signed Dekkers after he participated in the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis last weekend. The signing follows quarterback Derek Carr’s retirement. New Orleans also waived linebacker Anfernee Orji.

In 2023, Dekkers pleaded guilty to underage gambling and received a $645 fine following a state investigation involving sports teams at Iowa and Iowa State. He was accused of placing wagers on 26 Iowa State events, including a Cyclones game in 2021 against Oklahoma State. In a plea agreement, Dekkers admitted he wagered on Iowa State football while on the team.

Initial filings in the case detailed that Dekkers and his parents “engaged in a scheme” to allow him “to disguise his identity and manipulate online/mobile transactions in order to create the appearance that sports wager transactions” were conducted by his mom, Jami, on a DraftKings sports book platform. He was accused of placing 366 mobile or online bets — from his personal phone — that totaled more than $2,799, including 297 bets when he was under the age of 21. Iowa law states that you have to be 21 or older to place any sports bet.

Dekkers sat out the 2023 season and had his appeal for reinstatement denied by the NCAA. He enrolled at Iowa Western Community College for the 2024 season and led the team to an 11-2 record and a spot in the NJCAA national title game, where the school lost to Hutchinson Community College 28-23. In 13 games, he threw for 3,806 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and posted a completion percentage of 64.1.

After backing up current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy at Iowa State for two seasons, Dekkers took over as the Cyclones’ starter in 2022. He led the Big 12 in completion percentage (66.1), completions (302) and attempts (457), while throwing for 3,044 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Here is what Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, said about Dekkers in his draft guide, “The Beast”:

“Dekkers can really sling the football with pace and velocity. He operates with poise in the pocket and bounces on his toes at the top of his drop. He will lose sight of defenders on certain route concepts, and he put too many interceptions on tape in his only season in the FBS (although his decision-making process did mature in 2024). Overall, Dekkers’ past will be interpreted differently across the league, but the lefty passer has draftable talent and physical and mental tools worth developing.”

— The Athletic‘s Scott Dochterman contributed to this story.

(Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)