Tommy Stevens "spins it" at camp

[Obliviax]

Jim Nagy‏Verified account@JimNagy_SB
Biggest surprise of Manning Passing Academy was Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. Scouts talk about how guys “spin it” and Stevens spun it as well as anyone at the camp. We knew he was big and athletic but he has a live arm. @HailStateFB fans should be excited about this kid!

 

[NittPicker]

Good to hear. I don't think anyone has ever doubted his ability.

 

[BobPSU92]

FIRE. FRANKLIN.

 

[Cletus11]

it was an unfortunate series of events at PSU for Stevens not to be there anymore, i don't think anybody on PSU's side did anything wrong.

 

[tboyer]

it was an unfortunate series of events at PSU for Stevens not to be there anymore, i don't think anybody on PSU's side did anything wrong.

... and PSU has great talent at QB. But it will be an adjustment -- there won't be a lot of designed running plays for the QB this year.

 

[SR108]

Jim Nagy‏Verified account@JimNagy_SB
Biggest surprise of Manning Passing Academy was Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. Scouts talk about how guys “spin it” and Stevens spun it as well as anyone at the camp. We knew he was big and athletic but he has a live arm. @HailStateFB fans should be excited about this kid!

I will be following MSU and rooting for Tommy. I wish he was still on our roster, but I understand his decision, and the nature of things in today's game.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Good to hear. I don't think anyone has ever doubted his ability.

No, but nobody was willing to give him the job without earning it.

 

[baircub1!]

Will be VERY interesting to see how our OC adapts to new QB with different level of ability plus and minus that Trace..

Trace owned the QB spot for a couple years ... now we will see how good Raines “ really” is.. we have the RB’s... QB is talented as are ourvskill players and OL should be good..,

Not a talent issue with our Offense.

My gut tells me.. this will be a very good PSU Team on both sides of the ball.,,

 

[Ranger Dan]

Jim Nagy‏Verified account@JimNagy_SB
Biggest surprise of Manning Passing Academy was Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. Scouts talk about how guys “spin it” and Stevens spun it as well as anyone at the camp. We knew he was big and athletic but he has a live arm. @HailStateFB fans should be excited about this kid!

Just imagine the quality of the arm talent left in happy valley if Stevens wasn’t the clear cut QB...

 

[mgkpsu]

it was an unfortunate series of events at PSU for Stevens not to be there anymore, i don't think anybody on PSU's side did anything wrong.

If anyone at PSU promised him the job in Spring 2018, and reneged a year later, then that would be wrong. I don't know that anything like that happened, and you don't know that it didn't happen, but something convinced Tommy to stay. And if that's what did happen, then the Stevens family absolutely has a right to be pissed, regardless of the injury.

 

[Cletus11]

Just imagine the quality of the arm talent left in happy valley if Stevens wasn’t the clear cut QB...

I don't think that is the issue. I think the issue was that Stevens was hurt and didn't practice in the bowl prep and was very limited in the off season work-outs and spring. So JFF had to say the competition was open as Stevens had really not practiced at all to be able to tell the team with a straight face that Stevens had earned the starting role. Doesn't mean Stevens wasn't the best QB, just JFF couldn't anoint Stevens the starter as it went against one of his core program principles of competition. Stevens was upset with the decision and had a simple, perfect option in JoeMo and Mississippi State.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I don't think that is the issue. I think the issue was that Stevens was hurt and didn't practice in the bowl prep and was very limited in the off season work-outs and spring. So JFF had to say the competition was open as Stevens had really not practiced at all to be able to tell the team with a straight face that Stevens had earned the starting role. Doesn't mean Stevens wasn't the best QB, just JFF couldn't anoint Stevens the starter as it went against one of his core program principles of competition. Stevens was upset with the decision and had a simple, perfect option in JoeMo and Mississippi State.

I’m not sure that Stevens would be our best QB if he had stayed. That said, I don’t begrudge him leaving, and will be rooting for him at MSU.

 

[RGWhirly]

Hopefully Tommy can stay healthy and have an excellent season.

 

[ga.lion]

Jim Nagy‏Verified account@JimNagy_SB
Biggest surprise of Manning Passing Academy was Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. Scouts talk about how guys “spin it” and Stevens spun it as well as anyone at the camp. We knew he was big and athletic but he has a live arm. @HailStateFB fans should be excited about this kid!

Good for Tommy but I can assure you the Alabama, Auburn, and LSU defensive backs will catch quite a few of Tommy's throws assuming he wins the job. Sorry he ran rather then competing this fall after all he was through at Penn State. Hope he does well!

 

[IvanGoode]

Tommy may not have been the 2nd best QB in our QB room either. There is a reason why he left. We have some nice albeit inexperienced talent there. You'll see it soon enough. I'll still be rooting for him. Maybe he can pull off an upset that helps us get in the playoff?

 

[sss]

If anyone at PSU promised him the job in Spring 2018, and reneged a year later, then that would be wrong. I don't know that anything like that happened, and you don't know that it didn't happen, but something convinced Tommy to stay. And if that's what did happen, then the Stevens family absolutely has a right to be pissed, regardless of the injury.[/QUOTE

100% conjecture. Lots of scenarios can be fabricated as to what happened. Some could make one side pissed, some could make the other side pissed.

 

[bdgan]

it was an unfortunate series of events at PSU for Stevens not to be there anymore, i don't think anybody on PSU's side did anything wrong.

Something wrong happened. If Stevens wanted to leave for football he should have done it a year earlier. Could it be that he likes Moorehead but isn't as fond of Rahne?

 

[BBG65]

I just can't picture in the spring of 2018 that he was promised the starting job in 2020. Of course, all that time missed due to injury was a big factor and apparently Clifford took full advantage of it.

 

[BlueBand]

Jim Nagy‏Verified account@JimNagy_SB
Biggest surprise of Manning Passing Academy was Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens. Scouts talk about how guys “spin it” and Stevens spun it as well as anyone at the camp. We knew he was big and athletic but he has a live arm. @HailStateFB fans should be excited about this kid!

Did they run drills for The Lion?

 

[royboy]

Did they run drills for The Lion?

I'm wondering if the staff brings out Levis running The Lion offense this year?

Or lets it die a quiet death?

 

[BobPSU92]

I'm wondering if the staff brings out Levis running The Lion offense this year?

Or lets it die a quiet death?

Is it in the Levis genes to run The Lion?

 

[interrobang]

Well his arm strength never was the question. It was his durability and accuracy.

 

[IANit]

No, but nobody was willing to give him the job without earning it.

I'd say patiently waiting in line and doing everything asked for 3+ years and staying for your junior year when you could have gone and played elsewhere kind of qualifies as earning it. You people act like he was just some newcomer who showed up and expected to be anointed the starter. It wasn't unreasonable for someone who had sacrificed for the program to expect at least an implied assurance that the position was his to lose in his last shot at being the starter. The way Tommy's Dad handled things with the media wasn't the best, but I don't fault the son.

 

[BobPSU92]

I hope Levis is a relaxed fit.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Well his arm strength never was the question. It was his durability and accuracy.

Coming off the bench he was: 24-41 59% 4TDS 1INT.

I’ll take that from a back-up QB anywhere, anytime.

PLUS

76 carries / 506 yds / 6.7 ave / 8TDS

 

[djr4rebs]

He's gone. He ain't coming back. He's spinning it at a camp.

Hope he leads them to 11-1 and the CCG.

 

[interrobang]

I'd say patiently waiting in line and doing everything asked for 3+ years and staying for your junior year when you could have gone and played elsewhere kind of qualifies as earning it. You people act like he was just some newcomer who showed up and expected to be anointed the starter. It wasn't unreasonable for someone who had sacrificed for the program to expect at least an implied assurance that the position was his to lose in his last shot at being the starter. The way Tommy's Dad handled things with the media wasn't the best, but I don't fault the son.

Just because he stayed doesn't mean he had an opportunity to leave. I think both times he looked to transfer he didn't find the market nearly as appealing as he was expecting. Hence why he ultimately transferred to a place where he's in no better of a scenario than he would have been in at PSU

 

[BlueBand]

I'd say patiently waiting in line and doing everything asked for 3+ years and staying for your junior year when you could have gone and played elsewhere kind of qualifies as earning it. You people act like he was just some newcomer who showed up and expected to be anointed the starter. It wasn't unreasonable for someone who had sacrificed for the program to expect at least an implied assurance that the position was his to lose in his last shot at being the starter. The way Tommy's Dad handled things with the media wasn't the best, but I don't fault the son.

Uh, being told the position is yours to lose, is still not a guarantee you’ll start. Which is what (we’re told) he wanted.

 

[SR108]

I’m not sure that Stevens would be our best QB if he had stayed. That said, I don’t begrudge him leaving, and will be rooting for him at MSU.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion, there is not much of an in-game track record for any of them.

Coming off the bench he was: 24-41 59% 4TDS 1INT.

I’ll take that from a back-up QB anywhere, anytime.

PLUS

76 carries / 506 yds / 6.7 ave / 8TDS

confidence, a healthy Tommy was/is a more all around threat, both running and passing.

He was a serious running threat.

 

[PSU_522]

... and PSU has great talent at QB. But it will be an adjustment -- there won't be a lot of designed running plays for the QB this year.

That’s what we have running backs for .. hopefully there won’t be a lot of designed plays where we use our qb as a receiver again this year when we have ya know actual receivers.

 

[blion72]

... and PSU has great talent at QB. But it will be an adjustment -- there won't be a lot of designed running plays for the QB this year.

this

Not sure how you came to that conclusion, there is not much of an in-game track record for any of them.


confidence, a healthy Tommy was/is a more all around threat, both running and passing.

He was a serious running threat.

you hit the issue on the head, and that is why anything Tommy gets some discussion. Fact is that as good as our RBs have been, Trace's running was a clear differentiator for this team. if you eliminate some of his scrambles over the last 3 years, you are looking at a much different record. these undersigned running plays bailed the team (and OC's) out. Tommy looked to bring every bit of that along with a much better arm strength.

 

[Jaymar80]

I wish Tommy the best, but it's hard for me to believe JoMo gave him a guarantee! He's got some good QBs competing down there, it's not going to be any easier, which is why I'm excited to see what Clifford or Levis can do! Obviously Tommy was a little worried about not winning the starting job! He was at most of the practices, watching those two take reps, and he knows he's got one last chance, so, IMO, unless he was worried, he would have battled it out! Either way, good luck to him, and bring on Clifford or Levis!

 

[IANit]

Uh, being told the position is yours to lose, is still not a guarantee you’ll start. Which is what (we’re told) he wanted.

True, but there aren't really any guarantees. The coach can always change his mind if he doesn't like something you're doing or decides another player is better.

 

[indynittany]

I’m not sure that Stevens would be our best QB if he had stayed. That said, I don’t begrudge him leaving, and will be rooting for him at MSU.

I love TS and wished he had stayed, but I don't think he was sure he was our best QB.

 

[hotmetal]

Hopefully Tommy can stay healthy and have an excellent season.

If Tommy has an outstanding season and our guys struggle, there will be no end to the second guessing on the board.

 

[djr4rebs]

If Tommy has an outstanding season and our guys struggle, there will be no end to the second guessing on the board.

We could go 15-0 and some would say "but Tommy would have had us 15-0 with the Heisman."

 

[indynittany]

Just because he stayed doesn't mean he had an opportunity to leave. I think both times he looked to transfer he didn't find the market nearly as appealing as he was expecting. Hence why he ultimately transferred to a place where he's in no better of a scenario than he would have been in at PSU

Bottom line is he hasn't been completely healthy in two years.

 

[SEPATOPTEN]

I'd say patiently waiting in line and doing everything asked for 3+ years and staying for your junior year when you could have gone and played elsewhere kind of qualifies as earning it. You people act like he was just some newcomer who showed up and expected to be anointed the starter. It wasn't unreasonable for someone who had sacrificed for the program to expect at least an implied assurance that the position was his to lose in his last shot at being the starter. The way Tommy's Dad handled things with the media wasn't the best, but I don't fault the son.

He earned a shot to compete. I just don't think he had enough reps. He had injuries in I believe two of the three years and not enough pass attempts to just say hey the competition is over no matter what the other qbs do.

 

[N&B4PSU]

It's pretty clear to me Tommy was told things in a way that left him cold (and his Dad hot). So easy to say 'Tommy, you're #1 when we hit camp, but understand that if you aren't healthy or everyone on the team see Clifford is the better QB, well I'm going to have little choice but to start him. But you are penciled in as #1 and it's your job to lose as much as his to win... are you cool with that?'

I don't think that is how the conversation went.

I also think Franklin harbored some anger about Tommy looking to transfer the year before and then having to create The Lion just to get the kid some reps (the loyalty thing). I think all of that (and Clifford's development and long range production) factored into how the conversation with Tommy went.

My guess: 'All 3 of you will get an equal shot at the prize. Last man standing is the starter. You good with that?'

Answer... see ya.

 

[SEPATOPTEN]

It's pretty clear to me Tommy was told things in a way that left him cold (and his Dad hot). So easy to say 'Tommy, you're #1 when we hit camp, but understand that if you aren't healthy or everyone on the team see Clifford is the better QB, well I'm going to have little choice but to start him. But you are penciled in as #1 and it's your job to lose as much as his to win... are you cool with that?'

I don't think that is how the conversation went.

I also think Franklin harbored some anger about Tommy looking to transfer the year before and then having to create The Lion just to get the kid some reps (the loyalty thing). I think all of that (and Clifford's development and long range production) factored into how the conversation with Tommy went.

My guess: 'All 3 of you will get an equal shot at the prize. Last man standing is the starter. You good with that?'

Answer... see ya.

Wasn't Tommy running Lion type plays in 2017? Hell wasn't he doing some of that in 2016 also? He was getting on the field with Trace way before he was considering transferring the first time. Anything any of us opines on the issue is pure speculation. You would have had to be a part of the conversation with CJF and TS to be able to take anything to the bank.