Highly touted LSU 2010 QB Signee Zach Lee signs with the Dodgers

[TideSatchel]

have you ever stopped to even consider the possibility that Les Miles told him what he needed to do to retain his scholarship, and Garrett said thanks, but no? Miles pulled his scholly and told him what was expected from him to earn it back. He didn't want to do the work. He thought he was a lot better than he was. I will be stunned if he starts at Northwestern.
-
Oh, and by the way...that didn't happen "after last year". It happened in June...of this year...like two months ago.

No I had not considered that. And my post was an inquiry about the situation. I never claimed to know the details, though I did speculate a bit. I guess that makes sense, even if you're obviously spinning it for LSU.

 

[TideSatchel]

FWIW, I do not believe Zach Lee will ever play college football.

He doesn't have the option to as long as he is under contract with the Dodgers.

 

[TideSatchel]

-
I respect Zach Lee. I think he was like everyone else, and truly didn't think the Dodgers would come off the cash. They have NEVER paid like that...and certainly not for the 28th pick. They rarely pay over slot, and they paid him INFINITELY over slot. He attended summer classes at LSU, worked out with the team, practiced with the team, and seemed very into it...football, and the college experience in general. But he would be a fool to turn down $5.25 million to play for LSU, Alabama, UF, whoever. He was considered unsignable because of the staggering amount he was demanding. He was demanding that amount because he also wanted to play football, and was OK if they didn't pony up. But they did. Good for him, bad for LSU.

Infinitely over slot?!? Wow, I didn't realize that was possible.

All kidding aside, your assessment is consistent with what I've said in this thread; no one thought the Dodgers would sign Lee. You're exagerrating how far over slot he was paid, though, as there was A LOT of money flying around to first rounders yesterday. Lee's contract is not much more excessive than many others that were signed yesterday -though his was clearly affected by all the leverage he had due to his opportunity at LSU.

 

[Fishhead]

No I had not considered that. And my post was an inquiry about the situation. I never claimed to know the details, though I did speculate a bit. I guess that makes sense, even if you're obviously spinning it for LSU.

I'm not spinning it for anyone. That is the way it was reported. That doesn't make it true, but that's all I've got. I wasn't in the room with them. Seems like you were the one spinning with " Miles is an idiot" and "I genuinely feel bad for <Garrett>"...without knowing anything about the situation...and admitting you didn't know anything about it. Talk about spin...
-
And of course, he didn't get paid "infinitely" over slot...but compared to Dodgers history, pretty much. Also, he got paid about 5 times what #27 and #29 got paid, but baseball is funny that way.
-
And I know he doesn't have the option while under contract with the Dodgers. Booty didn't play at LSU while under contract with the Marlins. Mauck wasn't under contract either when he was LSU's QB. Weinke wasn't under contract when he won the Heisman for FSU. But I just don't see Lee coming back in a couple of years to play college football. Contract or not.

 

[TideSatchel]

I'm not spinning it for anyone. That is the way it was reported.

It was reported that Miles pulled Garrett's scholly? Link? Several google searches turned up nothing of the sort. Not even from a Louisiana source.

 

[TideSatchel]

Finally found a non-message board mention of it here: There is conflicting information regarding LSU backup QB Chris Garrett's scholarship | NOLA.com

Says Garrett's high school coach confirmed that they weren't renewing his scholarship. Interesting. Any insight into what happened? Was it somethign that happened off the field? Surely he wouldn't cut a freshman qb just because he was worse than Jefferson and Lee (who, granted,both suck :wink: ) leaving him with just 2 scholarship QB's...that makes no sense to me. And then to lose out on Ely and lose Lee to the Dodgers right after....ouch. Miles is an idiot.

 

[edwd58]

Also, they did sign Sam Gibson last year. They moved him to safety, but he played QB at Prattville. As a Bama fan, I would enjoy seeing Sam play QB for Les.

Sam "played" QB, but is not, and never really was a QB. He just happened to be better, for a while, than anyone else Prattville had left on the roster. Toward the end of last year the 10th grader, I can't recall his name (maybe Justin Thomas?), had pratically taken over the position. Sam's a good athlete and he could play QB for LSU, but I don't think it would be a postive for him, or them.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

It was reported that Miles pulled Garrett's scholly? Link? Several google searches turned up nothing of the sort. Not even from a Louisiana source.

Not sure they word it that way in public. Woodson/CNS mutually agreed too. Fishhead tends to know his stuff about them swamp boys.

 

[TideSatchel]

See my post on the previous page. I see now, after more thorough searching, that Garrett's high school coach called them out on it, and it was indeed reported.

 

[Fishhead]

It was reported that Miles pulled Garrett's scholly? Link? Several google searches turned up nothing of the sort. Not even from a Louisiana source.

Here's the skinny...again, I was NOT in the room.

In the spring, he popped off about JJ being "annointed the starter". Instant doghouse. He had a bad attitude about it, and was claiming CLM had "lost the team". Fast forward a couple of months, and his family received a certified letter advising them his scholly would not be renewed. At that time, he was advised of what it would take to regain his scholly, and he did not want to put in the work. He did not like the fact that he was behind JJ, JLee, and probably Zach Lee. It has also been bantied about that even Barrett Bailey was ahead of Lee. Barrett Bailey is a former 3* dual threat from right there, University High in BR. He received offers from Northwestern, UAB, and the like, and decided to walk on at LSU instead. He is now a "preferred walk on". So yeah, LSU has only two scholarship QBs, but Bailey isn't just any walk on. He's no blue chipper, but Garrett was a 3* too. FWIW, I think Garrett had more potential than Bailey...and about a tenth of the heart.
-
If you think that kind of stuff gets reported in the Times Picayune, you're mistaken. Both sides will publicly try to play it amicably.

 

[TideSatchel]

Interesting. After reading his HS coach's comments and knowing your proximity to the LSU program, I can see that being exactly what happened.

I have to say though, I wonder if there wasn't another way for Miles to discipline him. I guess you'd have to assume he tried, and that Garrett continued to buck him. Because really, cutting your freshman scholarship QB for something like that when your as thin at QB as LSU is seems like a really dumb decision - even if he thought Lee would be there in the fall. Garrett must have left him no choice. I wonder what the last straw was...

 

[Fishhead]

Interesting. After reading his HS coach's comments and knowing your proximity to the LSU program, I can see that being exactly what happened.

I have to say though, I wonder if there wasn't another way for Miles to discipline him. I guess you'd have to assume he tried, and that Garrett continued to buck him. Because really, cutting your freshman scholarship QB for something like that when your as thin at QB as LSU is seems like a really dumb decision - even if he thought Lee would be there in the fall. Garrett must have left him no choice. I wonder what the last straw was...

Well, the first "reports" of this came out in spring ball. So I guess that means a couple of months of whatever was going on. I took it all that he was trying to divide the locker room, and that cannot be tolerated.
-
Les is snakebit in the QB department! It isn't like he went years without singing QBs. Ryan Perrilloux was supposed to be the heir apparent. (per Ryan Perrilloux...and Rivals) Obviously, that is the single biggest thing that set the LSU QB position back. When that happened so close to season's start, LSU had RS freshman JLee, Andrew Hatch, (who has since transferred to Harvard...where he belongs), and true freshman Jordan Jefferson. Then came Garrett and Russell Shepard. Then came Zach Lee. None of these guys were considered "projects" as such, with the exception of Hatch, who was really at LSU because Crowton liked him from BYU. He was never supposed to see the field.
-
Jarrett Lee gets thrown into the fire, and melts.
-
Jordan Jefferson gets thrown into the fire, and is better than most think. He's 62%, 2000 yds, 17 TDs, and only 7 picks his first year starting. I don't understand why people say he's "terrible", "sucks", etc...but time will tell. For a guy that didn't have the luxury of holding a clipboard for an upperclassmen for a couple of years, I think he did pretty well. I noticed GMac is on the Manning watch list. So is JJ.
-
Russell Shepard was given his shot, and may be given that shot again. I don't think he's a true "QB", but allegedly, neither was Pat White. I think Shep is a lot like Pat White, except bigger. He'll see his time behind center this season, but as a wildcat type.
-
Garrett, enough said.
-
Zach Lee, I personally think LSU fans are overreacting a bit. It's as if Joe Montana was on the team one day, and gone the next. He was a highly touted Texas 4* QB...just like Jarrett Lee.
-
I like the Rivers committment. I think he is underrated, but I understand the reasons. Delivery. Just like his brothers when he was in HS/College. His brother seemed to learn to work with it. I like that he has a brother whose brain he can pick. I know his dad is a coach, but so was Jarrett Lee's. Rivers is #10 pro style this year, but to be honest, it ain't much of a year for HS QBs.
-
I think Spencer Ware would see time at QB before Sam Gibson. Possibly before Shepard. God forbid we have to find out this year.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

This is incorrect. A player does not lose his football eligibility by playing professional baseball, as long as the following guidelines are followed:

1. A player can sign a professional baseball contract with a professional team and still return to play NCAA football at any time - if his contract allows him to do so. He can receive money and benefits from a professional baseball team.
2. He can receive a scholarship to play football as long as he maintains his amateur status in football.
3. He can sign with an agent. ALL contracts and conversations with an agent must be specific to baseball.
4. He can receive money and benefits from an agent as long as (condition) No. 3 is met.
5. He cannot sign any commercial endorsement deal.

I did not know this, thank you for explaining.

I still find it odd that these college athletes will be able to make millions and still play football yet Dareus could miss games for going to a party. Doesn't seem right.

 

[TideSatchel]

Wow, that's a great summary of just how chaotic the QB situation has been over there in recent years Fishhead. Pretty unbelievable. Thanks for the insight.

 

[JPT4Bama]

Man, that is certainly a tough break for LSU but I can understand taking the incredible offer from the Dodgers. He must be quite the prospect indeed.

It sounds to me like Miles did the right thing regarding Garrett. His apparent attitude problems were not worth the trouble it would have caused eventually.

I'm sure the LSU coaches have a plan for potential QB depth situations in place already, besides it's rare for a true frosh to be a big factor in the SEC not that it couldn't happen, just unlikely. I still expect LSU to be in the West title race ahead of Ark or API. Too much talent not to be.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

Remember, Ely doesn't actually sign with us till February.

He can go anywhere he wants.

He will enroll in January.

 

[RTR91]

Sam "played" QB, but is not, and never really was a QB. He just happened to be better, for a while, than anyone else Prattville had left on the roster. Toward the end of last year the 10th grader, I can't recall his name (maybe Justin Thomas?), had pratically taken over the position. Sam's a good athlete and he could play QB for LSU, but I don't think it would be a postive for him, or them.

That's why I would be happy as a Bama fan to see him play QB.

Personally, I don't think Coach Dubose used Sam correctly. Justin Thomas should have been QB every second possible with Sam at WR. But hey, I'm not the one getting paid $100,000...

 

[BamaInBham]

Jordan Jefferson gets thrown into the fire, and is better than most think. He's 62%, 2000 yds, 17 TDs, and only 7 picks his first year starting. I don't understand why people say he's "terrible", "sucks", etc...but time will tell. For a guy that didn't have the luxury of holding a clipboard for an upperclassmen for a couple of years, I think he did pretty well. I noticed GMac is on the Manning watch list. So is JJ.

I agree that Jefferson is unfairly categorized. Yes, he is often way too hesitant, but he does not make many dumb throws, is fairly accurate, is athletic, doesn't whine. I like him a lot as a person and OK as a QB.

Tough luck on Zack Lee. I don't know anything about him or his baseball abilities, but they may be much better than those of a 28th 1st round pick, but because of his known desire to play football and his asking price, a lot of organizations may have passed on him.

Overall, I think LSU is going to be better than what most are predicting. But both of your lines are declining a bit. I can buy some of the Ark hype, having trouble buying the au hype. I hope y'all crush that pantywaist offense like you did last year.

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Well, the first "reports" of this came out in spring ball. So I guess that means a couple of months of whatever was going on. I took it all that he was trying to divide the locker room, and that cannot be tolerated.
-
Les is snakebit in the QB department! It isn't like he went years without singing QBs. Ryan Perrilloux was supposed to be the heir apparent. (per Ryan Perrilloux...and Rivals) Obviously, that is the single biggest thing that set the LSU QB position back. When that happened so close to season's start, LSU had RS freshman JLee, Andrew Hatch, (who has since transferred to Harvard...where he belongs), and true freshman Jordan Jefferson. Then came Garrett and Russell Shepard. Then came Zach Lee. None of these guys were considered "projects" as such, with the exception of Hatch, who was really at LSU because Crowton liked him from BYU. He was never supposed to see the field.
-
Jarrett Lee gets thrown into the fire, and melts.
-
Jordan Jefferson gets thrown into the fire, and is better than most think. He's 62%, 2000 yds, 17 TDs, and only 7 picks his first year starting. I don't understand why people say he's "terrible", "sucks", etc...but time will tell. For a guy that didn't have the luxury of holding a clipboard for an upperclassmen for a couple of years, I think he did pretty well. I noticed GMac is on the Manning watch list. So is JJ.
-
Russell Shepard was given his shot, and may be given that shot again. I don't think he's a true "QB", but allegedly, neither was Pat White. I think Shep is a lot like Pat White, except bigger. He'll see his time behind center this season, but as a wildcat type.
-
Garrett, enough said.
-
Zach Lee, I personally think LSU fans are overreacting a bit. It's as if Joe Montana was on the team one day, and gone the next. He was a highly touted Texas 4* QB...just like Jarrett Lee.
-
I like the Rivers committment. I think he is underrated, but I understand the reasons. Delivery. Just like his brothers when he was in HS/College. His brother seemed to learn to work with it. I like that he has a brother whose brain he can pick. I know his dad is a coach, but so was Jarrett Lee's. Rivers is #10 pro style this year, but to be honest, it ain't much of a year for HS QBs.
-
I think Spencer Ware would see time at QB before Sam Gibson. Possibly before Shepard. God forbid we have to find out this year.

Nice write up Fish. Glad you are back around.

 

[RamJamHam]

LSU lost a HUGE chunk of it's BASEBALL recruiting class yesterday...Zach Lee included...along with Anthony Ranaudo, who signed with the Red Sox yesterday. So basically, LSU has zero starting pitching for next baseball season. We've still got a heck of a closer, but nobody to get from 1-8. I think I have elegibility left, and may try to walk on next spring. I've got no heat, but I can throw some junk for strikes.

As both an Alabama baseball fan and a Red Sox fan, I have to say this makes me doubly happy. Plus I'd like to pitch against you in the game you appear in. Maybe the grinding sounds in my shoulder will be as intimidating as your junkballing.