Rivers transfers from LSU to Vanderbilt

photo SEC Southeastern Conference

Vanderbilt announced Wednesday that former LSU quarterback Stephen Rivers has transferred to the Commodores.

The younger brother of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers completed his undergraduate degree at LSU last month and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He was granted the waiver to transfer Tuesday by the Southeastern Conference and will enter postgraduate studies at Vanderbilt's Divinity School later this summer.

"I'm happy for Stephen and looking forward to having him join our program," Commodores first-year coach Derek Mason said in a release. "Stephen brings both ability and experience to our team. He also fits the offensive system we will run under [offensive coordinator] Karl Dorrell.

"We're going to see great competition at the quarterback position this August."

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rivers is expected to compete with redshirt sophomore Patton Robinette and redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary, who were the only two scholarship quarterbacks to go through spring drills. Robinette started three games late last season, including the triumph at Florida and the BBVA Compass Bowl win over Houston.

Redshirt junior Josh Grady also will be vying for the job, as will incoming freshmen Wade Freebeck and Shawn Stankavage.

Rivers is from Athens, Ala., and signed with LSU in 2011. He redshirted that year and saw action in just four games the past two seasons as the backup to Zach Mettenberger, who is now with the Tennessee Titans.

Alabama adds 2016 foe

Alabama announced Wednesday that the Crimson Tide and Western Kentucky have agreed to play Sept. 10, 2016, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Bowling Green Daily News reported that the Hilltoppers will receive $1.3 million for making the trip.

It will be the third meeting between the two programs in Tuscaloosa since 2008. Alabama won 41-7 in 2008 and 35-0 in 2012.

Taylor picks Bulldogs

Juwan Taylor, a 6-foot, 196-pound linebacker from Hallandale Beach, Fla., is the ninth commitment for Georgia's 2015 signing class. Taylor is a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com and picked the Bulldogs over scholarship offers from Clemson, LSU, Arkansas and Wisconsin.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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