Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Ball St. Cardinals?

From May 1 until the start of the 2016 NFL season on September 11, we’re going to list the best players that the Saints ever drafted from all 128 FBS schools, as of 2015.

Of course, there are a number of schools, including Air Force, Appalachian St., Arizona, Army, Baylor, Bowling Green, Buffalo, and South Alabama, in which the Saints have never drafted a player.

Yesterday, we looked at the best player the Saints ever drafted from California.

Today, we spotlight the best player the Saints ever drafted from Ball St.

When it comes to selecting the best player the Saints ever drafted from Ball St., the choice is between tight end Don Burchfield (1971) and defensive back Terry Schmidt (1974).

The pick is going to be Schmidt, a defensive back, who played for the Saints for two seasons, from 1974-1975.

Really, Schmidt wins by default, since Burchfield, the only other player drafted out of Ball St. by the Saints, lasted only one year, and started only one game.

A native of Columbus, Indiana, Schmidt, was selected by the Saints in the 5th round of the 1974 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot, 177-pound Schmidt played in 9 games as a rookie, all as a starter, and intercepted 4 passes, including one for a touchdown.

In 1975, Schmidt played in 13 games, including 9 starts, while intercepting one pass.

In 1976, Schmidt moved on to the Chicago Bears, where he played for the final 9 years of his NFL career, compiling 21 interceptions, including 2 for touchdowns.

In two seasons with the Saints, Schmidt played in 22 games, including 18 starts, compiling 5 interceptions.

In 11 total seasons I the NFL, Schmidt played in 143 games, including 95 starts, accumulating 26 interceptions, including 3 for touchdowns.

Schmidt, a retired commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, is currently chief of dental services at the James H Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.

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