Gunner Kiel Decommits from LSU: Why the Tigers Won't Regret Losing Overrated QB

Quarterback Gunner Kiel is the most recent to switch commitments, as he gave his verbal commitment to the LSU Tigers. Now he is likely on his way to South Bend to suit up in a Notre Dame uniform next season.

There is nothing worse for college football fans than to lose a top recruit that had the potential to drastically change their program for the better. Especially when that player had already given his verbal commitment to that school, just to change his mind a couple of weeks later.

If you've followed Kiel's story, you know he likes to change his mind a lot, as he had committed to Indiana before backing out and picking LSU. But according to reports, this really isn't the quarterback's decision. Kiel wants to play for LSU, but his family wants him to stay closer to home. 

"From what I have been told, he is no longer coming to LSU," recruiting expert Michael Scarborough of Rivals.com/TigerBait.com said Monday night. "He wants to come to LSU, but his mother (Aleta Kiel) got very emotional Monday and did not want her son to leave. He plans to enroll in classes at Notre Dame on Tuesday."

Regardless of what the case may be, the Tigers shouldn't be that upset. Sure, it would have been nice to have a five-star prospect at the quarterback position, after losing two senior quarterbacks this season. It's nice to have a talented player at any position.

But just how good is Kiel, and did the Tigers really need him?

Kiel didn't look good at all in the U.S. Army All-American Game and really lacks elite arm strength to be a complete quarterback. He missed several throws in the game and really didn't look like he was all there against some of the nation's top competition. Playing in the SEC, this would really scare me if he were my quarterback, considering you're going up against some of the top defenses in the country.

Another thing is, LSU still has Zach Mettenberger on the roster, who is more than capable of leading this Tigers team to where they want to go. Unlike Kiel, Mettenberger has the elite arm strength, makes great decisions with the football and has great size at 6'5", 230 pounds. The only thing that scares me about him is his maturity off the field. 

But regardless of who the starting quarterback is next year for LSU, they don't really need a top prospect back there to get this offense to work. The Tigers have always been a team that relies on their defense and running game to win games under Les Miles. The defense will always be there, and the three-headed monster in Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Alfred Blue are all returning.

It was exciting to land a top prospect who can throw the football well, but looking back on things, the Tigers haven't needed that to succeed before. You'd assume that would also be the case moving forward.  

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]