🏈 Del Rio transferring...(UPDATED: Del Rio comments on reasons he transferred, etc.)

[TerryP]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I had an incredible year at Bama, it's sad to say that it will be my last,I'm excited for the next chapter of my life and what it will bring</p>&mdash; Luke Del Rio (@Ldelrio12) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ldelrio12/statuses/423489407279439872">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Swamptick]

Luke DelRio leaving?

https://twitter.com/ldelrio12/status/423489407279439872

I just saw this on Twitter from his official account.

 

[Swamptick]

Del Rio transferring...

I just saw that and posted as well. I guess the depth was too much for him to climb out of. It's just one more scholy I suppose.

 

[TheChief]

Wasn't he a walk-on?

 

[Swamptick]

Del Rio transferring...

With us he was. Offered scholarships by other schools though, including Oklahoma State if I recall.

 

[TheChief]

Again, how little we know. I heard people saying Del Rio would be the next quarterback. Oh well...

 

[rick4bama]

http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...become-2014-breakout-stars-include-Alabama-QB
I just finished reading this too.

 

[TerryP]

I just saw that and posted as well. I guess the depth was too much for him to climb out of. It's just one more scholy I suppose.

I'm more inclined to think he's a victim of a numbers crunch. He walked on with the thought he'd win a scholarship.

Where's the room?

 

['65 Cobra]

Actually, I think that helps the situation, overall. We have too many QBs on the roster and having that many getting reps dilutes the reps. We need to wittle down our top three and really let them have at it in practice for competition.

 

[Swamptick]

http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...become-2014-breakout-stars-include-Alabama-QB
I just finished reading this too.

Lol. I was thinking the same thing. I am also thinking about the 5 star commit for 2015. I'm wondering if everyone is sort of looking to the future. Is that kid it?

 

[planomateo]

I'm more inclined to think he's a victim of a numbers crunch. He walked on with the thought he'd win a scholarship.

Where's the room?

Has to be something significant to get him moving on prior to Spring competition.

 

[Bamabacker]

Has to be something significant to get him moving on prior to Spring competition.

I would agree here...If Saban mentioned him as #3 during last season, something else has come up. Possibly a meeting with the new QB coach?...haha

 

[TerryP]

Actually, I think that helps the situation, overall. We have too many QBs on the roster and having that many getting reps dilutes the reps. We need to wittle down our top three and really let them have at it in practice for competition.

I disagree with that wholeheartedly. We'll have five on scholarship in June. That's the perfect number.

However...

We have a bunch of guys grouped together (in terms of eligibility) and I certainly would like to see those spread out a little more.

But too many? Surely you haven't forgotten Spencer Pennington starting halfway through the season...he started the year buried on the depth chart.

 

[bama alum]

I'm a little surprised by this, too. When Kiffin came in, he talked to LDR and made him not only comfortable with the offense but excited about it. Then a week later...

Is he going to transfer to Oregon St?

 

[TerryP]

Has to be something significant to get him moving on prior to Spring competition.

I would agree here...If Saban mentioned him as #3 during last season, something else has come up. Possibly a meeting with the new QB coach?...haha

Luke was quoted during an interview just a few days ago about how he was looking forward to spring and the competition. This was after Kiffin was hired.

Here's something important to remember.

Saban is going through the roster, as he does every year, and discussing each players future, what they need to improve on, etc.

He's undoubtedly had that conversation with Luke in the last few days.

When I combine all of this together the only conclusion I come up with is Luke realizes he's not getting a scholarship this season. It's rumored he's likely headed to Oregon State—where he had a scholly offered.

 

[JoshB]

I wonder if the possibility of a former Nole coming in had anything to do with it too?

 

[Swamptick]

I wonder if the possibility of a former Nole coming in had anything to do with it too?

Maybe, but I just don't see said Nole joining our roster.

 

['65 Cobra]

I disagree with that wholeheartedly. We'll have five on scholarship in June. That's the perfect number.

However...

We have a bunch of guys grouped together (in terms of eligibility) and I certainly would like to see those spread out a little more.

But too many? Surely you haven't forgotten Spencer Pennington starting halfway through the season...he started the year buried on the depth chart.

I don't know, I certainly agree about the eligibility clumping - that creates problems with players leaving (like Del Rio and Sims and Ely before him) and you risk losing a good one. I think having 5 on the roster also potentially creates problems with recruiting. For example, Ricky Town may be better than any other QB currently on the roster or coming in (maybe), but will he switch his commitment because there are already 5 guys on scholly. Couldn't blame him if he did.

I respect your opinion, I just think 3, maybe 4, makes more sense. Plus it leaves more room to add more quality depth at other positions that take more of a beating.

 

[TerryP]

I don't know, I certainly agree about the eligibility clumping - that creates problems with players leaving (like Del Rio and Sims and Ely before him) and you risk losing a good one. I think having 5 on the roster also potentially creates problems with recruiting. For example, Ricky Town may be better than any other QB currently on the roster or coming in (maybe), but will he switch his commitment because there are already 5 guys on scholly. Couldn't blame him if he did.

I respect your opinion, I just think 3, maybe 4, makes more sense. Plus it leaves more room to add more quality depth at other positions that take more of a beating.

Ricky Town is a verbal for the class of '15—still leaves the team with five on scholarship.

FWIW, LSU will be carrying five going into the fall. UGA likely to be carrying six. I'd have to look to be sure, but I'm thinking UF is carrying six right now as well.

Think about this for a second. I mentioned Pennington earlier. UF, just this season, found themselves playing with their third string QB due to injury. If he'd gotten hurt? What then?

In an ideal world you redshirt your QB in his first year and then he's got four to play four. Bring in one each season and you're left with five on scholarship. An injury here, a guy leaving after his Jr. year there...and suddenly you're down to three.

That's not even mentioning the number of QB's recruited that don't pan out at this level. A few weeks ago I mentioned Spurrier has had nine come through the UofSC program that didn't pan out.

---

Hey, now that we're on this for a second...remember this thread and bring it up next fall. When some of the guys here go to Wild Wings for "Hey Coach" this would make a damn good question to pose to Saban.

 

[ElephantStomp]

Maybe Del Rio is afraid of competition? Not to sound like I'm trashing the kid or anything, but he must know something the rest of us don't or something