Another possible QB transfer

[Papa_Bull]

Now that didn't take long:

This story originally published on SpartansInsider.com

 Reaves dismissed from MSU squad

By Mike Fowler SI editor

Date: May 10, 2005

The Michigan State career of quarterback Stephen Reaves is over. The prized recruit from Plant City, FL has left the team after off-field incidents and on-field performance made him expendable.

(EAST LANSING) - Sophomore quarterback Stephen Reaves has been dismissed from the Michigan State football program effective immediately.

Reaves, who on April 29th, was charged driving by authorities with driving while under the influence of alcohol, requested and was granted his release from his scholarship at Michigan State, school sources confirmed.

Michigan State spokesman John Lewandowski also confirmed that Reaves has been released from his obligation to the University. "His request for a release has been granted," Lewandowski told the media today.

Reaves, the son of former NFL great John Reaves, arrived at Michigan State with much fanfare. Some thought that Reaves would be the heir-apparent to current St. Louis Rams quarterback and former Spartan standout Jeff Smoker as the next MSU starting quarterback.

But Reaves, who got a shot at the starting job after sophomore Drew Stanton suffered an injury in the 2003 season ending Alamo Bowl loss to Nebraska, struggled to move the team. In his first career start he went 9-of-19 for 183 yards with a touchdown in a win over Central Michigan, but couldn't hold off the returning Stanton for the starting job.

Once Stanton cemented his status as the team's starting quarterback, Reaves made noises about transferring to either Florida or South Carolina, but decided to stay in East Lansing after shopping around. He drew the ire of coach John L. Smith for his tepid play in spring practices and there were also reports of the southpaw quarterback struggling academically.

None of that sat well with coach Smith, who then threatened to elevate true freshman Dominic Natale to the backup position behind Stanton after Reaves and sophomore Brian Hoyer were unimpressive in the Spartans spring game.

"You almost start thinking, we've given enough snaps to Reaves, we've given enough snaps to Hoyer, maybe we're going to give more to Natale at this point. That's about how disgusted I am," Smith said at the time about his backup quarterbacks' play.

When Reaves fell into off-field problems yet again, with report of his arrest by East Lansing police on April 28th, that appears to have been the last straw and put an end to his MSU career.

Reaves could elect to transfer to South Carolina after all under new head coach Steve Spurrier or to one of the minor Florida schools like South Florida, Central Florida.

Wake Forest also was interested in the left-hander before he signed a letter of intent with Michigan State.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=169&p=2&c=377876

[Papa_Bull]

Well, we aren't mentioned in this article:

Reaves released from MSU scholarship

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

By Steve Grinczel

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State backup quarterback Stephen Reaves has gotten out of Spartan head coach John L. Smith's doghouse for good because if he plays college football again, it will be for another school.

Reaves, who was recently arrested for drunk driving and previously demoted on the depth chart because of his poor performance in the classroom, was released from his scholarship on Monday, associate athletic director for sports information John Lewandowski said.

"His request for a release has been granted," Lewandowski said.

Among the schools Reaves, a native of Tampa, Fla., is believed to be considering at this point are: Florida, Miami, Central Florida, Florida International, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Reaves' father, John, was a standout quarterback at Florida and in the NFL. John Reaves didn't return phone calls Monday night.

It's no secret that Reaves had not endeared himself to Smith, and his April 27 early morning arrest by East Lansing police apparently led to a mutual parting of the ways for a player in a leadership position and the team.

According to police, Reaves' blood-alcohol level tested at 0.12, with the legal limit for intoxication at 0.08. A pretrial hearing was set for May 26 in 54-B District Court.

Reaves experienced significant successes and disappointments in his two seasons as a Spartan.

He did not play as a freshman in 2003, but was in position to secure the No. 1 job last season as a redshirt freshman.

With Drew Stanton's recovery from off-season knee surgery progressing slower than expected, Reaves competed with senior Damon Dowdell for the starting job.

After a mistake-plagued Dowdell led MSU to a 19-14 season-opening loss at Rutgers, Smith made Reaves the starter in the second game against Central Michigan.

In his first collegiate appearance, Reaves completed 9 of 19 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown in Michigan State's 24-7 defeat of the Chippewas.

Reaves started against Notre Dame the following week, as well. However, Reaves completed 7 of 20 passes for 66 yards and three interceptions in the first half and MSU trailed 21-7.

Stanton took over in the third quarter and by rallying the Spartans to three scores in a 31-24 defeat, secured the No. 1 job for the remainder of the season.

Reaves appeared in three more games as a backup and for the season completed 23 of 58 passes for 331 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.

Reaves entered spring drills as the fourth-string quarterback behind Stanton, freshman Brian Hoyer and Domenic Natale, who graduated from high school early and enrolled for winter semester.

Reaves publicly admitted after a practice early last month that his tumble down the depth chart was related to his academic shortcomings.

"I kind of slipped last year and at the beginning of this semester grades-wise," Reaves said then. "I've just got to be more responsible off the field. Coach Smith always preaches academics first and football second, and I had those two switched up. Right now, I'm just trying to get back in the good graces with coach."

As Reaves' schoolwork improved, his participation in spring practice gradually increased. After the final spring practice on April 22 Smith said he expected Reaves to compete with Hoyer for the No. 2 job when preseason camp opens in August.

http://www.mlive.com/spartans/football/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1115719801198303.xml

[bulls96go]

no

[flsportsfan83]

he will end up at either FAU or FIN IMHO...... Schools like Florida and Miami I dont think what the headache

[flsportsfan83]

FIN=FIU

[Papa_Bull]

FOOTBALL

Reaves eyes state schools

Former Plant High quarterback Stephen Reaves, who was granted his release from Michigan State on Tuesday, has five schools in the state of Florida among those he's considering for a transfer, his father, John, said Wednesday.

Reaves, 20, who would have two years of eligibility after sitting out this season, requested that Michigan State send his release papers to nine schools, including Florida, Miami, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International, his father said. Reaves strongly considered South Florida two years ago out of high school but isn't considering the Bulls because they already have four quarterbacks on scholarship this fall. He has not been contacted by any schools.

Reaves, who started two games last fall and was competing for the Spartans backup job, was arrested two weeks ago on charges of driving while intoxicated and possessing a fake ID. His father said he will take classes this summer, potentially at Hillsborough Community College, to ease the course load he'll need next year to be eligible in 2006.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/12/Sports/Seven_run_first_helps.shtml

[bulls96go]

now we are too strong at qb than uf and um?

this guy is smoking something

[BULLfreak]

I don't think we want this one.

I hear you on that. Drinking and Driving and problems with his grades go some where else

[Brad]

07/03/05

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) -- Stephen Reaves, the one-time starting quarterback at Michigan State, is expected to transfer to Southern Mississippi, according to newspaper reports.

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