http://www.810whb.com/blog/4209K-State, Jeremiah Masoli a good fit
By: Curtis Kitchen, 810whb.com Senior Writer
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – While Bryce Brown’s Tennessee breakup dominates the spotlight, Kansas State fans might want to pry their eyes away from the fray just long enough to consider another name.
Jeremiah Masoli.
The former Oregon quarterback, an All-Pac-10 First Team selection in 2009 (Sporting News, Phil Steele, Rivals.com), is still mysteriously available. Okay, it isn’t such a mystery why the 5’11, 220-lb. QB is still without a school since a repeat criminal record will do that for a guy. But, he won’t be available for long; guys with his talent and on-field track record never are,* and it makes sense from several perspectives for K-State to take a look.
*Yes, that statement opens a whole other discussion on the life perks afforded athletically talented individuals. I’m not going down that road today or maybe ever. That’s just life in today’s world, folks.
K-State fans want a shot in the arm? A 100-proof shot of purple drank? How about putting that kid in control of the most offensive talent K-State has had in seven years? Quarterback issues suddenly shift from finding one to dusting off plays not used since Michael Bishop’s final season.
Recognized as the Ducks’ most outstanding player in ’09, Masoli’s elite talent is proven on a Division-I level, not high school. There are no projections to fuss over, no worries that he may not develop or that the game proves too complicated. He’s legit and would turn K-State from a curious, middle-of-the-pack team to flat dangerous.
Academically, the risk isn’t slight. It is zero. Masoli finished his undergraduate work in Eugene and would only need to enroll in a graduate program not offered at Oregon. This is a one-and-done deal.
Everything, it appears, comes back to Masoli’s wrap sheet that includes admitted armed robbery and the theft of a laptop computer from an Oregon frat house last January.
The Rebs’ Houston Nutt would love to have the QB, especially since backup QB Raymond Cotton (ironically, a former KSU recruit) announced this week he is leaving the program. However, Ole Miss administrators are meeting this week discussing potential ramifications and fallout from Masoli's addition.
There is none of that in Manhattan because while KSU Athletic Director John Currie would be kept in the loop, if Snyder wants a player of that caliber, good luck telling him no.
Masoli wants to start right away, and that door has opened for as many as three other schools, including West Virginia, UNLV and Louisiana Tech – all openly pursuing Masoli. The sure bet is that a few more are quietly doing the same.
Masoli, his family and all others associated with him have gone silent. His father said there would be no more talk until after a new school had been selected – information to be released via press release by a Los Angeles-based public relations firm.
Finally, if Masoli was talking, it would be interesting to know how familiar he is with K-State already. Masoli was a teammate and friend with Chris Harper, and the two worked together as Harper spent time floating between wide receiver and quarterback.
The bottom line: Masoli is available immediately. At KSU, he would start immediately. The risk on the field and academically is virtually nonexistent and extends for a maximum of four or five months or 12-14 games.
If given the opportunity, and I’d like to think he knows how to get one if he wants, it is certainly a risk LHC Bill Snyder should take.
