The NFL held one of its regional scouting combines in Arizona over the weekend and one of the quarterbacks taking part has the journeyman resume that puts you in that environment rather than the main event in Indianapolis this week.
Stephen Rivers started his career at LSU, but barely played with Zach Mettenberger in the starting lineup and a transfer to Vanderbilt didn’t lead to a major uptick in his career prospects. Rivers transferred again to Northwestern State and was in and out of the starting lineup during the 2015 season.
That’s not the kind of resume that usually leads to long looks at the NFL level, although Rivers can point to his familial lineage as a reason why he’s been able to garner more attention than others with the same on-field history. He’s the younger brother of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who Stephen accurately points out had a career that “went one way and mine went another.”
Big brother is also playing an advisory role as the younger Rivers tries to navigate his way to a late-round selection or contract as an undrafted free agent. Philip has been “a huge help from day one” and some of his confidence might be rubbing off on Stephen.
“I think I’ll be a steal,” Stephen Rivers said, via NFL.com.
There’s a pro day on March 15 and Rivers is working out with George Whitfield in California -- as are Connor Cook and Cardale Jones -- in an attempt to make his best effort at making the unlikely trip to an NFL roster this spring.