Vanderbilt adds graduate transfer quarterback who was a three-year starter
In the market for a quarterback, Vanderbilt has reportedly added a graduate transfer who started for three years at his former school.
Former Ball State QB Riley Neal told 247Sports that he’ll transfer to Vanderbilt and play his final season of eligibility next fall. The 6-foot-5, 217-pound Neal also considered Louisville. He presumably would replace four-year starter Kyle Shurmur who will exhaust his eligibility after the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27.
“They have a lot of guys returning,” Neal told 247Sports. “Their team has some good players that have a year left. Their quarterback situation, you’re not going to go anywhere where they’re going to tell you it’s a lock, but they don’t have a ton of guys on their roster and they’re graduating their starter.”
This past season, Neal played in nine games before he suffered an injury. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,917 yards and 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Neal added 357 yards rushing and five more scores.
Neal had 32 starts overall for Ball State at quarterback, and was the starter in every game he dressed since the fourth game of his freshman season.
He is third all-time in passing yards with 7,393, according to the Muncie Star Press. He also finishes with the third-most career touchdown passes with 46, behind Wenning and Davis.