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Rookie quarterback Garrett Grayson wanted to be drafted by the Saints and learn from Drew Brees

By Andrew Schuster

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Did the New Orleans Saints find Drew Brees‘ successor?  That is a question that cannot be answered until No. 9 decides to call it quits down on the bayou.  However, he does have a new apprentice in Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson, who the Black and Gold used a third-round pick on in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Sean Payton and company didn’t draft the former CSU Ram to use him as a career backup.  It is clear — Garrett Grayson is expected to be the Saints’ next starting quarterback.  In fact, coach Payton said if Garrett Grayson wasn’t available in the draft, then the team would have passed on a quarterback all together.

While many fans question the decision, the rookie gunslinger knew where he wanted to land — in New Orleans behind Brees.  Garrett Grayon was interviewed by NFL.com as part of their ‘Rookie Confessional’ series, and according to the Crescent City’s newest addition at quarterback, the Saints were one of three teams he was hoping to be drafted by, along with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

“First of all, through the whole draft process, there was three teams that I said I’d love to end up in, and that was the Saints, Cowboys and Broncos,” Grayson said when asked what he likes most about his new team. “They’ve all got older QBs, and two of them are first-ballot Hall-of-Famers. The fact that I actually ended up there (New Orleans) and getting to see how Drew Brees handles the huddle, how he watches film, everything. I’m getting to see that on a daily basis, it’s really special to me, and I’m just beyond happy to be down there.”

When asked what he wants to prove at training camp, Garrett Grayson replied how any rookie hopeful should. “To prove that I can play in the NFL, that’s something through this whole process, I know guys who doubted me coming from a smaller conference. They said that I can’t play with the ‘big boys.’ Somebody saw something that they liked.”

Grayson had a little message for Saints fans at the end:

“I just wanted to thank you guys for having me down there. It’s a true blessing. I’m excited to get to work with Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints, and be a part of that organization.” He capped it all off with a big, loud “Who Dat!”

So, who is Garrett Grayson?  Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, Garrett is the son of Brad and Jody Grayson.  His uncle, Dan Grayson, was an All-American linebacker at Washington State and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Garrett attended Heritage High School as a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track).  Nicknamed G-Man, he earned academic-all conference honors in all three sports, lettering in each as well.

As a basketball player, Grayson served as a team captain and averaged 6.7 points per game.  His track and field achievements were also impressive, winning two district titles in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles.

However, football would be his most impressive feat.  Grayson was a three-year staring QB, also playing free safety, cornerback and wide receiver.  He broke most of Washington’s Class 4A state passing records and had the nation’s highest completion percentage (73.2 percent) as a senior.

He collected two consecutive Greater St. Helens League MVP honors in 2008 and 2009 and led Heritage to three-straight playoff berths and a league championship in 2008.  Grayson earned conference player of the year in 2009, passing for 2,720 yards with 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

He was the No. 22-ranked all-purpose quarterback in the nation and No. 17 overall prospect from the state of Washington by Rivals.com before joining Colorado State.

Garrett Grayson was named the Rams’ starter as a sophomore, but suffered an injury, ending his season with 946 yards and seven touchdowns in six games.   He bounced back his junior year and recorded one of the best statistical seasons in Colorado State history, starting all 14 games and completing 62.1 percent of his passes 3,696 yards and 23 scores.

In 2014, Garrett Grayson was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.  He completed 64.3 percent of his passes for a staggering 4,006 yards and 32 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.

His 4,006 yards set a CSU record and was good for fourth in NCAA FBS.  Grayson holds numerous school records including career yards, touchdowns, completions, attempts, completion percentage and the single-season touchdown record with the 32 he threw as a senior.

New Orleans Saints fans better get used to the name Garret Grayson.  When Drew Brees decides to retire, this is the kid who will likely be stepping in.  Is Grayson the next star quarterback down on the bayou?  With the work ethic, skill set and an extraordinary opportunity to breed behind one of the all-time greats, I’m liking his chances.  He’ll get his shot to silence his critics when training camp kicks off July at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.

Stats courtesy of CSURAMS.com

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