Jarrett Stidham (Stephenville, Texas/Stephenville) is one the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. He’s rated as the fourth-best prospect among his position group and the ninth-best recruit in the talent-rich state of Texas by Rivals.com. Until Saturday, Stidham was verbally committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Stidham apparently changed his mind and decided to revoke his verbal commitment.
“I want to say thank you to Texas Tech University for giving me the opportunity to play football and get a degree from there, but I have officially decided to decommit for various reasons,” Stidham tweeted, via Wreckem247.com. “Thank you to everyone that has been involved.”
It’s a surprising decision since Stidham originally committed to Texas Tech over a year ago.I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an early-enrolling QB decommit a month before he’s scheduled to arrive on campus.
— David Ubben (@davidubben) December 14, 2014
With his options now open, the four-star quarterback will ponder the 21 offers he currently owns and which school is best for him.
The Baylor Bears are considered the early front-runners to secure a commitment from Stidham. First, Baylor head coach Art Briles was once the head coach at Stephenville High School.
There is also a question of playing time.
“A source close to the situation says Stidham’s decommitment revolves around whether he’d redshirt his freshman year or play immediately,” Wreckem247.com’s Daniel Paulling reported.
At Texas Tech, Stidham would have had stiff competition from freshman Patrick Mahomes and sophomore Davis Webb. Whereas Baylor’s quarterback situation will be wide open once Bryce Petty exhausts his eligibility after this season.
Stidham also holds offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines and Oregon Ducks. Each of those programs present an opportunity to potentially play sooner rather than later as well.
(Picture courtesy of Rivals.com)