Smelley's baseball career on hold
Chris Smelley might have a year to polish his baseball skills.
The former South Carolina quarterback, who transferred to Alabama in January to play baseball, believed he would be eligible immediately for the Crimson Tide.
Smelley has requested a waiver.
It’ll be interesting to see how Smelley makes out on the diamond. Alabama coach Jim Wells said Smelley, who was an all-state catcher at a small Christian school in Tuscaloosa, would be a “terrific player” for the Tide.
And Smelley, who was 9-6 as a starter for the Gamecocks, could end up back on the football field before all is said and done. Smelley, whose younger brother is a tight end at Alabama, told The State he didn’t want to “close any doors” when asked in January if he might play football again.
Stay tuned.
19 Comments to “Smelley's baseball career on hold”
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USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
I wish him good fortune. He seemed like a good kid.
And Beecher too.
next smelley is gone and i don’t miss him or beecher…i wish them the best but we have current gamecock qbs hillary,garcia, mc c., and clifford to focus on…gooo cocks!!!
Just another dumb mistake by Smelley
Sounds like he made a decision before he knew what the result was going to be. How ironic.
I wonder how many times he will get picked off trying to steal a base !!!! ha ha ha ha!!!
Chris Smelly situation – released & academically eligible should play. The NCAA, suffering from delusions of adequacy, pretends to be the guardian of college sports. Their only interest is in guarding the NCAA’s entrenched bureaucratic butts. OSU vs Florida – an Ohio church was holding a pot luck fund raiser for 2 OSU parents to attend the big game. NCAA call: nope, can’t do that, we don’t want a church corrupting the game. They should be protecting athletes & families and not athletics. Stupid example 2 of a long list: Mrs. Spurier, a beautiful, gracious women, welcoming new players? Many of these kids, and they are still kids emotionally, psychologically, and mentally despite the blessings nature has bestowed on them physically – come out of terrible situations of poverty and abuse. Teachers and coaches do as much parenting as they to teaching, but then again, parenting is the highest form of coaching. Are you listening NCAA?
I wish him well,and feel he was not given more chances like some previous players @ usc.He is a good kid,and has talent and some incredible records in high school in Ala.Sometimes ,as adults we forget these are young kids, and overlook the fact that we have had a lot of life expierences that help us make decisions that they do not have.We are quick to judge their slightest mistake at their young age.I refer to his coaching peers at USC,not to mention names.
And yet another interception thrown by Smelley.
Jerry Smith – He was given all the chances his ability dictated and then some. It’s not like he rode the bench waiting for an opportunity to play. His performance on the field speaks for itself. He’s a nice kid from a nice family, but his play at QB will not be missed.
Joe, do not disappoint me… make this some sort of controversy!
There’s something smelley about this whole situation ha ,ha, aha , If Smelley was a loyal Gamecock he would have stayed here and played baseball for Ray Tanner whom is probably the best coach in the league and o ‘yea did he know we have a brand new stadium that is far nicer than most college programs have , maybe he was tired of hearing about all those interceptions the last 2 seasons. Good Luck Smelley your gonna need it!!
I think the NCAA will do Beecher wrong also. They never get anything right. SC01, if you paid attention to the numerous stories about this topic, you would know that Smelley talked to Tanner and USC baseball had no place for him. Know what you are talking about.
BlockC, you may not miss him, but I am not in favor of giving those 9 wins back.
Chris Smeely is a solid young man and best of all a good citizen. He is a college kid trying to make it. It is COLLEGE FOOTBALL, he is a student! He is not a pro….
He gave it his best and probably feels baseball is his best crack at a college and academic career. He is going to Alabama to get away from all the USC wise-cracks I am sure. I doubt if he was offered to play baseball at USC.
By the way, I bet all those who are criticising him have never walked through a college classrooom or played ANY college sports either! It is tough to be successful at both! Give the young fellow a break! I wish him all the best!
I wish Chris all the best, except when he is playing Carolina.
I have heard he can not wait for the 2010 football season and his return to Columbia.
I wish him well and cannot really blame him for bolting. I cannot wait for him to return in 2010 either, however I don’t think he will be the starter for ‘Bama. (One can only hope!) Unless he learns to “look off” instead of staring down his receivers, it will be a fun day for USC Defense if Smelley is behind center. GO GAMECOCKS!!!!
I’ve always been a Spurrier fan. I follow the Cocks from my home in Florida. Although I’m not a Gator fan, I really respect what he did for UF. Results are results, and, with him, USC’s best football days are ahead. Obviously, Steve saw something in Smelley or he wouldn’t have been the QB. Sure, he has some development to take care of, and I think he made a big mistake in leaving Steve’s tuteledge. Bottom line, he did what he felt he had to do and I wish him well. GO COCKS!