The kid has a right to make the choice he thinks is best for him, it's not like he was from La. Besides, do we really want a recruit that doesn't really want to be here? I'd rather him go to Bama than give a half hearted commitment to LSU.
look in your pants and take a firm hold...... be a man up dammit!!!!!! (that is if you are a man....if not , then okay....:shock
Yeah, I agree with you. I really don't get all of the belligerence and animosity expressed here about his decision, or ALA offering him. CNS is not offering a 4* QB out of Florida to block LSU - that's just a bonus. They have needs just like us, and have other dynamics going on, just like us. Rivers wasn't on anyone here's radar, yet seemingly out of the blue we offered and he committed (just like Ely to UA). But Rivers clearly wants to be a Tiger (and obviously there was more of a relationship with him and the coaches than anyone here knew about, just like Ely and ALA pro'ly). Give me that any day of the week over someone who does not really feel a true commitment to LSU. If Ely does not really want to be here, then we move on and don't cry over spilt milk. As far as competition over recruits with ALA, or any other school, we are going to win some and lose some, you just move on and find the best fits for your program. Ely was not going to remain committed if ND or UF came calling, so better to move on now anyway. Regarding Rivers, I am very optimistic. His brother was not very highly rated and blossomed after HS. When you read Stephen's quotes, he says, to my surprise, he likes Crowton's spread offense and that they run a similar offense. He says his strength is his decision making. When I think of QBs with "okay" arms who have been good decision makers, I think of Flynn, Mauck, and Hodson. If Rivers is anywhere in this realm, then we will be proud to have him as our QB. In college, this combination works. I understand the concerns of unorthodox throwing motion, but as others have stated, his brother has obviously succeeded, his dad has taught them this over the years with success, and Wuerffel was pretty successful in college, too, with an atypical throwing motion. Guy seems smart, is adept at making quick decisions, and has a good arm. He will do well here and I don't think he will end up being that much of a "project" as other "experts" here have suggested.
Was just reading this: ESPN recruiting on Ely (the guy Bama got): "Ely is a guy that you can't help but like and is very similar to last years Clint Trickett." Clint Trickett was rated #83 QB recruit by ESPN, the #36 pro-style QB recruit by Rivals (a 3-star), and the #35 overall QB recruit by Scout (3-star). He went to Florida State. ESPN recruiting on Rivers (the guy LSU got): "there is a lot to like about Stephen Rivers...there is a lot of upside with [Rivers] in the same way we feel Tyler Bray was from the 2010 class." Tyler Bray was rated #6 overall QB recruit by ESPN, the #7 pro-style QB recruit by Rivals (a 4-star), and the #26 overall QB recruit by Scout (3-star). He went to Tennessee.
Easy to let it go if you never heard of the guy, but I keep seeing some LSU fans acting like Ely was the next Peyton Manning or Drew Brees. I don't get it. I think that Ely, who is nothing special, has been discussed in LSU recruiting circles for so long that this small fraction of LSU fans literally started filling their heads with crazy ideas of how Ely is the next Peyton Manning or Drew Brees and yada yada yada. Even on other forums I'm seeing some LSU fans go bow down to Bama fans, telling them "wow, you got one hell of a QB" yada yada... I don't get it. How did anybody get obsessed with this Ely guy in the first place when he's not that great? I don't get it.
