Gunner Kiel commits to LSU

Submitted by MGoChippewa on

According to multiple sources on Twitter, top-rated QB Gunner Kiel has committed to the LSU Tigers.  Best of the luck to the former reported Michigan lean, and former Indiana commit.  

 

 

Steve Wiltfong
SWiltfong247 Steve Wiltfong 
 
Five-star QB Gunner Kiel commits to LSU.bit.ly/urU9hH #Tigers

Hardware Sushi

December 27th, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^

Whoa...that seems like a pretty unsubstantiated statement. Miles and LSU have wasted PLENTY of QB talent since he's been the coach. Let's not let him off the hook that easily...

In 2003, Jamarcus Russell and Matt Flynn were both 4-star QBs, ranked #6 and #16, respectively. Russell is arguably the only LSU QB in Miles' tenure that actually helped the team win rather than LSU winning despite their QB. And Miles wasn't the coach that recruited these guys.

In Miles' first year, Russell's stats were 2443 yards and 15 TDs (couldn't find INTs). Russell's stats in his junior year (2006 season, after beating out Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux in camp) were 3129 yards passing for 28 TDs and 8 interceptions. A great year, no argument. He had around -200 rushing yards. He was then drafted by crazy Al Davis with the #1 pick (although in fairness, many draft experts agreed with the pick).

No QBs taken in 2004.

In 2005, Ryan Perrilloux was an undisputed 5-star QB and the #1 QB in the class.

No QBs taken in 2006. Matt Flynn did pilot the Tigers to the BCS championship, although he wasn't burning up the record books with 2403 yards and a 21/11 TD/INT ratio.

In 2007, Jarrett Lee was the #7 QB and 4-stars.

In 2008, Jordan Jefferson was the #8 QB and 4-stars.

In 2009, Russell Shepard was a 5-star QB and the #1 QB in the class. Chris Garrett, a 3-star, also committed.

In 2010, Zach Lee was the #9 QB and 4-stars.

Now he has Gunner Kiel, the #1 5-star QB for 2011.

I don't think it's a lack of talent at all, but rather a lack of development that sounds like lack of talent because LSU's QBs always seem to suck under Les Miles. Maybe that's on Gary Crowton or maybe just the style of play under Les Miles (and sounds a lot like Michigan's QB statistics under Bo's teams with great D), but with Crowton kicked out to Maryland, Miles is the common denominator.

Recruiting services and star ranking caveats apply, but LSU still chose to recruit these guys that were generally regarded as very talented. Seriously, 2 #1 QBs (and a third this year), 5 other 4-stars, and a 3 star on top and they haven't had a stud college QB outside of Russell.

Les Miles (or his OC, or his system, or whatever they have down there in the swamp) destroys QB talent.

denardogasm

December 28th, 2011 at 1:14 AM ^

Yeah I must say that Kiel's recruitment has been pretty strange to me, seeing as he always played it pretty close to the vest and seemed to really be thinking things through. With all that careful consideration he manages to completely botch the decision initially with Indiana and then not Indiana, and then finally settle on the qb graveyard you just described. What the hell is he basing these decisions on?

rockydude

December 27th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^

It seems that usually LSU goes with a QB that is more on the mobile side. I'm sure that Les will find a way to use Gunner's talents though. Best of luck to him . . . 

Mr. Yost

December 28th, 2011 at 12:07 PM ^

PHEW!!

I didn't want to see Kiel in a domer helmet. They've taken us to the wire 3 years with 3 crappy QBs. Yes two were highly regarded, but on Clausen was supposed to be what they're claiming Kiel to be.

I'd rather take my chances with someone else, I don't care how good we'll be...

With that said, back to the regular scheduled program. I've already stopped caring.

FrankMurphy

December 27th, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^

How hard were we really recruiting him? QB was definitely not a pressing need in this class. 

Also, there were rampant rumors of him being a silent ND commit. Just goes to show that the prevailing sentiment about a recruit's leanings isn't always correct. 

wlubd

December 27th, 2011 at 6:42 PM ^

We were going after him in spring/summer after we whiffed on Zeke Pike. WOTS seemed to be that Kiel lost interest in Michigan after Shane outperformed him in a camp. Who knows if that's true.

Don't think we were ever a favourite or close to landing him though despite some reports to the contrary months ago.

what would Bo do

December 27th, 2011 at 6:40 PM ^

I was kind of looking forward to another 5 star qb underachieving at Notre Dame.  Seriously though, I wish he would have stayed at Indiana, it might have made them relevant (a little bit) for the first time since Randall El was their qb.  Regardless, a good addition to LSU and Les Miles's recruiting class.

96goblue00

December 27th, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^

 

a perennial

One player will not make much difference. As much as I would like to see teams like IU and Minnesota being a bit more competitive, it ain't going to happen, not even with a 5-star QB. It would take $$$, a solid coaching staff and several recruiting classes with a solid number of top recruits to lift these teams out of the abyss. 

Bo Knows

December 27th, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^

This is LSU first big time qb since russell, since then they've just had game manager types in Flynn, Jefferson, Lee..  With the way they recruit defense they are going to be even better in the future. Scary.

BrownJuggernaut

December 27th, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^

I think I said this before, but I'm sort of disappointed that Kiel is heading South. I don't like seeing the best players in Big Ten states going to the SEC. Best of luck to Kiel though. He'll have a lot of fun playing under Les Miles.

LSAClassOf2000

December 27th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^

I thought there was chatter for a couple weeks that he was probably going to end up at LSU, but now that it is official, best of luck to him in the SEC West.

So, how does  this affect Indiana's QB picture? Do they, in fact, have a QB? 

turtleboy

December 27th, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

I dont like the top midwest talent filling the SEC coffers, but his college success will be based in large part to successful coaching. Florida went from spread to pro style with Charlie Wies as the OC and only came in 3rd in the meek SEC East this year. Hope the mad hatter can maintain some coaching continuity on offense for him.

michfan6060

December 27th, 2011 at 7:14 PM ^

I'm not sure if I dreamt this or not, but I thought like a week or two ago I read a thread that he committed to LSU, but then the other day I checked scout and he wasn't committed anywhere. Can I see the future?

I Miss Bursley

December 27th, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^

Sounds like there's more to the story about why we decommited from Indiana. Anyone know the background. The ESPN article mentions some issues with the coaches and the family?