Before I start, let me explain myself. I am not a college football buff. I am an NHL writer who loves to watch college football. I do not know many specifics about players and their skills. I simply love to watch football, specifically when it is young kids playing for the love of the game.
So please be kind when you rip me for being wrong.
Through the games I saw last season, there was one player who was not noticed much nationally, but who clearly has the talent and the potential to be great.
Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli of the Oregon Ducks began his college football career last season as a sophomore, playing behind then-senior Justin Roper.
After playing in a backup role, he put up fairly good numbers: a 56.9 completion percentage, 1,744 yards, 7.3 yards per down, 13 touchdowns, and an incredible 131.96 rating.
He also threw just five interceptions in 11 games played.
He lead the Ducks to eight wins en route to a 9-3 record, a 10th place AP ranking, and a 19th place BCS ranking.
In the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Masoli passed for 258 yards and rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns en route to Oregon’s 42-31 victory.
Now with new head coach Chip Kelly coming in and the starting job almost guaranteed, Masoli has a chance to play a full season in 2009.
In his last year at junior college, Masoli put up over 3,000 passing yards, including 26 touchdowns, 383 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns. After running a 4.6 forty, the 6'0", 205-pound quarterback was offered scholarships by Oregon, Arkansas, Auburn, and Arizona—ultimately committing to Oregon on May 1, 2008.
With a dominant Southern California team in the way of a Pac-10 championship, the Ducks have the best opportunity to dethrone the defending conference champs. The Ducks could go 10-2 and even 11-1 if they can upset USC on Oct. 31, when the Trojans come to Oregon.
“He’s certainly on the right track,” said former Oregon quarterback and Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. “If he can build on his last two games, which were outstanding—great leadership in both of them—if he can play at the level, then you may be talking about a trophy.”
Masoli is indeed a possibility to be a Heisman finalist, but he will have a tough time dethroning Sam Bradford and beating out Tim Tebow. Colt McCoy is also a possible finalist who could edge out Masoli.
However, Masoli could very well be sitting in the front row when the Heisman Trophy is present at the end of the 2009 season. After being put on the Davey O’Brien Award watch list recently, he is finally starting to get the national recognition that he deserves.
He also set Oregon’s standard for quarterbacks with a 475-pound squat and a 330-pound bench.
In the final four games of 2008, Masoli had a 170.75 quarterback rating, totaling 14 touchdowns and one interception.
He was recently named to the preseason All-Pac-10 first team.
Sporting News recently claimed that when he graduates, Masoli will be the best quarterback in Oregon history.
The biggest competitions for that honor are Joey Harrington, the school’s only Heisman finalist, and Bill Musgrave, who is one of six Pac-10 quarterbacks to throw for 8,000 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Often called the West Coast’s Tim Tebow, Masoli “opened eyes nationally with a huge Holiday Bowl performance. His bruising running style and strong, accurate arm will cause problems for Pac-10 defenses.”
He could even end up with a Rose Bowl Championship and a Heisman in his cabinet before he graduates to the NFL.
Remember to follow my new blog: GM-Bass.blogspot.com!
Alan Bass is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report, the Community Leader for the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers section, and a writer for TheHockeyNews.com, Prohockeynews.com, Insidehockey.com, and Hockey54.com. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.
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