LSU backup quarterback Stephen Rivers confirmed plans to transfer from the University at the end of the academic year at Wednesday’s LSU basketball game.
Rivers, a redshirt sophomore, is set to graduate early at the end of May and hopes to see playing time in his remaining years of NCAA eligibility at a different school.
“There’s an opportunity for me to play somewhere else and get an opportunity to get on the field and, obviously, when you graduate, you get to play immediately,” Rivers said. “I just feel like I’ve had a great three years here. Maybe didn’t get on the field as much as I wanted to, but I really enjoyed my time here and can hopefully get on the field next year.”
Rivers said he hasn’t considered any school in particular yet, but is open to any options that allows him to play right away. He added his brother, San Diego Chargers starting quarterback Philip Rivers, would help him train for next season.
“The hard part about it is there’s nothing really bad I can say,” Rivers said. “I hate to be leaving, but sometimes you have to do what’s best or you. It’s hard to get past all that, but I have to do what’s best for myself.”
River said he spoke to the LSU coach Les Miles and his staff and they understand the decision and don’t harbor any bad feeling toward the young quarterback.
Rivers spent most of the 2013 season as the third quarterback on the depth chart behind starter Zach Mettenberger and true freshman Anthony Jennings. Jennings started LSU’s bowl game in January after Mettenberger suffered a knee injury.
The Athens Ala., native played in just four games in his two seasons at LSU, all of which came in 2012 before Jennings came to Baton Rouge.