WACO, Texas (AP) — Jarrett Stidham is transferring from Baylor rather than stay to be the primary backup quarterback behind senior Seth Russell.
Stidham made his decision public in a statement posted on his Twitter account Thursday, saying it came after careful thought and consideration.
“I would like to thank my teammates, friends, family and fellow students for the support throughout my career thus far,” he wrote. “Also, I want to thank the coaching staff that brought me here and gave me this opportunity to play. This has been a difficult decision.”
His announcement came six weeks after Baylor regents announced their intention to fire coach Art Briles with the release of a report over the university’s handling of sexual assault complaints against football players. The school and Briles mutually agreed to part ways two weeks ago, but all of the assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, remain with the Bears.
During an appearance on ESPN Central Texas radio Thursday, Baylor acting head coach Jim Grobe said he had spoken with Stidham earlier in the day.
“I don’t think he was happy backing up Seth Russell, and so he’s decided to move on and try to find a place where he can get more snaps,” Grobe said.
Stidham, who appeared in 10 games as a freshman with three starts after Russell’s season-ending neck injury, didn’t say in his post where he was planning to go.
Since he hasn’t taken a redshirt season yet, Stidham could have three seasons of eligibility remaining. He could enroll in a junior college this fall, and then transfer to another Division I school.
Stidham completed 75 of 109 passes (69 percent) for 1,265 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions for the Bears. His three starts came after Russell, then the top-rated FBS passer, suffered his injury Oct. 24. Stidham broke a bone in his right ankle in his third start, and missed the last three games, including Baylor’s bowl game.
