Zeke Pike was nowhere to be found when fall football practice began at Auburn University and the University of Louisville.
A highly rated quarterback coming out of Dixie Heights, some compared him to a young Ben Roethlisberger, at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, with poise in the pocket and a strong arm. Confident, too, once indicating that he wanted to prove he was the best quarterback in the country.
After being dismissed by Auburn Coach Gene Chizik, numerous media outlets in Alabama reported that he was headed to Louisville as a tight end. There has yet to be any confirmation from Charlie Strong.
The bet here is that if Pike is indeed in Louisville, he’s on a short leash and in a rehabilitation program, with no guarantees that he will ever see a practice field.
Here’s what known publicly about Pike’s transgressions:
- After being arrested at Auburn for public intoxication in late June, he was sent home for the rest of the summer. Auburn booted him from the team last week.
- Suspended for undisclosed reasons from his first and last game in final year in high school.
- He was asked to leave a 7-on-7 summer camp for prospects before his senior season for throwing a football at an official.
What he has in Louisville is a second chance provided by Charlie Strong. Whether he has a future in football is up to Zeke Pike.