By: Tyler Ward
Former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is officially enrolling at Ole Miss. He is expected to be enrolled in one of three programs, which would let him play as early as this upcoming season. Masoli has had an up-and-down collegiate career, once being a premier quarterback of the Pac-10.
Since he was not granted a scholarship, Masoli would have to walk on at Ole Miss, sources told ESPN. He is expected to make a visit to the southern school sometime in the following days. Masoli expressed interest in playing for West Virginia and Kansas State, but in the end, he chose to compete in the toughest conference of college football.
Earlier this year, Masoli was arrested and charged with second degree burglary after reportedly stealing items from a local Oregon fraternity house. The Lane County district attorney said that Masoli and former teammate Garrett Embry were both charged.
Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said at the time, "I want to apologize to the fans of the University of Oregon. I want to apologize to the faculty of the University of Oregon. This is not what our football program is all about. We feel that we’ve taken the steps necessary to make to make sure that this doesn’t happen with these young men again."
Masoli's actions led him to be kicked off the team, after leading the Oregon Ducks to a Rose Bowl berth last season. I’ve suspended Jeremiah for the entire season next year. Jeremiah will not be eligible to play. He does have a redshirt year available to him if he chooses to do that," Kelly said. "He will also have a plan put in place for himself. If he can strictly follow that plan then he’ll be able to come back and be eligible to play in the 2011 season. But he will not be eligible to play in 2010."This wasn't even Masoli's first mistake. In another incident, Masoli was pulled over by police after exiting a driveway without stopping. After sensing trouble, the officer searched Masoli and found an ounce or less or marijuana and not to mention, Masoli was driving on a suspended license.
Apparently, Masoli has either been a troublemaker or has just simply had horrible luck. After these two incidents, he was never allowed to step back on the field for the Ducks.
After a two-year hiatus at the junior college level, Masoli was able to join Oregon in the spring of 2008. He helped lead the Ducks to a defeat of perennial powerhouse, USC, and led them to a Rose Bowl berth, but lost to Ohio State, 26-17.
Known particularly as a double threat, Masoli threw for 3,891 yards and 28 touchdowns in his two seasons at Oregon. He also ran for a total of 1,386 yards, along with 26 touchdowns. He was thought to be a Heisman candidate for the 2010 season, but his dismissal from the team quickly led to the demise of those thoughts.
Now, for the time being, he is headed to Ole Miss and may compete for the starting job.
Mississippi's assistant athletic director of compliance, David Wells, said that the university will have to ask the NCAA to waive a one-year residency requirement.
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said that the university had no interest in going after Masoli last week. However, quarterback Raymond Cotton suddenly left the team and they were left with a sudden hole that had to be filled immediately. At this point, Masoli walked in the door and Ole Miss found their backup quarterback. Sophomore Nathan Stanley is expected to be named the starter, with Masoli closely in tow. Last season, Stanley played sparingly as a freshman because Ole Miss had quarterback Jevan Snead, who was a dual threat like Masoli. After entering the draft, Ole Miss now has to rely on Stanley to fill the void. The sophomore played in three games last year, completing 11 of 23 passes for 163 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
