The headline “NBA Scouts Are Furious: Why the New Orleans Saints Just Signed College Basketball’s Most Dominant Athlete” appears to be circulating widely on social media platforms like Facebook, particularly in New Orleans Saints fan groups and related communities. Posts with this exact sensational phrasing have been shared repeatedly in recent times, often linking to external content (though many links are truncated or lead to clickbait-style pages). However, after thorough searches across news sources, sports databases, and recent reports, no credible evidence supports a new, groundbreaking signing of a current “most dominant” college basketball player by the Saints that would provoke widespread fury from NBA scouts.
This type of headline is classic clickbait, designed to generate engagement through outrage and curiosity. It plays on real historical patterns but exaggerates or fabricates drama for viral appeal. The New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) share ownership under Gayle Benson, which occasionally leads to crossover interest or rumors, but no recent event matches this description precisely.
### Historical Context: Basketball-to-Football Transitions with the Saints
The Saints have a well-documented history of signing or developing former college basketball players, especially as tight ends, leveraging their height, athleticism, and catching ability. This strategy echoes the success of Jimmy Graham, a former basketball standout at Miami who became an All-Pro tight end in New Orleans.
Notable examples include:
– **Chris Manhertz** (signed in 2015): A former Canisius College basketball player (6-6, 255 lbs) who never played college football. The Saints signed him as a developmental tight end project after he was waived by the Buffalo Bills. Media at the time noted the team’s familiarity with basketball conversions, but there was no reported “fury” from NBA scouts—more curiosity about his potential.
– **Michael Jacobson** (signed to practice squad in 2023, with updates into 2025): A 6-7 former power forward from Nebraska and Iowa State. He transitioned to tight end after brief NFL stints with Seattle and Indianapolis. Reports from 2025 highlight him thriving in Saints training camp, impressing with his size and athletic traits. Again, this was a low-key move for depth, not a headline-grabbing poach of a top hoops prospect.
These signings are pragmatic NFL decisions. Basketball players often possess elite leaping ability, body control, and hand-eye coordination—valuable for positions like tight end or even wide receiver in specialized roles. The Saints, under various regimes, have viewed this pipeline as a way to find undervalued talent.
### Why No NBA Scouts Would Be “Furious”
NBA scouts focus on prospects within the basketball ecosystem: NCAA stars, international players, G League talents, etc. A college basketball player opting for the NFL (especially if undrafted or late in their hoops career) isn’t “stolen”—it’s a career pivot. Many such athletes try both paths or switch due to size, injury, or opportunity.
– Dominant current college hoops players (e.g., those projected as high NBA draft picks) are heavily invested in basketball development, agents, and endorsements. Switching to NFL would require massive adjustment, training, and risk—rarely appealing mid-career.
– If a true “most dominant” athlete (think a Zion Williamson-level college star) tried football, it would be national news with excitement, not anger. NBA teams might even see it as reducing competition.
Recent Saints roster moves (as of late 2025/early 2026) involve standard NFL business: draft picks like offensive linemen, quarterbacks, and defensive players; veteran re-signings; or minor additions. No reports tie any to a blockbuster basketball crossover causing league-wide upset.
### The Likely Origin of This Headline
It’s almost certainly fabricated or AI-generated clickbait. Similar posts spam Saints fan groups, promising “ultimate news” but delivering no substance. These often link to low-quality sites or videos hyping unrelated stories. In an era of declining attention spans, headlines pitting NBA vs. NFL create artificial rivalry.
The Saints-Pelicans shared ownership adds irony—Benson could theoretically facilitate cross-sport talent movement—but nothing suggests poaching hoops stars for football grids.
In summary, treat this headline as entertainment fodder, not fact. The Saints continue building their roster conventionally, while NBA scouts remain focused on the hardwood. If a genuine crossover phenom emerges, it would dominate legitimate sports coverage—not lurk in viral Facebook posts. For now, the “fury” exists only in the realm of imagined drama.
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