Stephen Rivers will find a third school to call home for his final season of eligibility, the former LSU and Vanderbilt quarterback announced Sunday on Twitter:
I have been granted a release from Vanderbilt. I am very appreciative of the opportunity they gave me. Wish everyone there the best.
— Stephen Rivers (@SGRivers17) January 18, 2015
I am looking forward to playing and contributing to the success of another team and finishing my final year of eligibility.
— Stephen Rivers (@SGRivers17) January 18, 2015
The younger brother of San Diego Chargers veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, Stephen Rivers signed with the Tigers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2011 before transferring to Vanderbilt before the 2014 season.
Rivers would become one of four different Commodore quarterbacks to start a game during coach Derek Mason's debut campaign in Nashville before eventually slipping down the depth chart and appearing in only four games total, completing 38.5 percent of his passes for 5.1 yards an attempt and a 0-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
His last sizable playing stint ended in a peculiar way in a 44-17 loss at Georgia on Oct. 4. Coach Derek Mason said Rivers read a play call upside-down on his wristband on a key fourth-and-2 in the third quarter. A "60" call signaled to Rivers was interpreted as "90," and it resulted in a 53-yard interception return by Georgia's Devin Bowman to seal Vanderbilt's loss.
Rivers was not made available for comment after the game, and he played only once more — subbing for three plays at the end of a 51-0 loss at Mississippi State after injuries to Patton Robinette and Johnny McCrary.
