Want a “big-name” quarterback? How about Montana?
Nick Montana, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, was in Knoxville last weekend to check out the Vols and find out if he would be a good match for their quarterback needs.
After not signing a quarterback in the 2009 class, UT’s top goal is to secure a top-flight quarterback for 2010.
Nick Montana could fit the bill. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Oaks Christian Academy in Westlake Village, Calif., reportedly has scholarship offers from several West Coast schools, as well as South Carolina and LSU.
And, if Oaks Christian High School sounds familiar, then Jimmy Clausen should come to mind. Clausen was the superstar among the many recent star-studded classes there.
And if you know Clausen and you’re reading the Knoxville News Sentinel or GoVolsXtra.com, then you know of his older brother: former UT quarterback Casey Clausen.
Casey Clausen is an assistant coach at Oaks Christian, meaning the Vols have a strong tie to one of the most talented programs in the nation.
And as if all that weren’t enough (but it should have been), Casey Clausen’s other student is sophomore Trevor Gretzky. Yes, that Gretzky. He’s Wayne Gretzky’s son — seriously.
Trevor Gretzky could soon be another highly rated prospect from Oaks Christian. For now UT is thinking Montana, who could add some early momentum to UT’s 2010 class.
Montana isn’t the only hope at quarterback.
Jake Heaps from Skyline High in Sammamish, Wash., is scheduled to visit Knoxville later this month. The 6-2, 180-pound Heaps has several scholarship offers from across the nation.
Certainly, the path is clear. UT coach Lane Kiffin told two quarterbacks for the 2009 class that they wouldn’t be a good fit for his system. Both de-committed.
As for any others, Kiffin said he had no hope about landing a top-flight quarterback for the 2009 class when he was just hired two months ago.
“It’s doesn’t happen,” Kiffin said of signing a quarterback that quickly. “You know that. You don’t find a guy with two months left to come in at quarterback.
“It’s hard to find a guy one year early much less two months early. We’re working on that right now.”
National Signing Day 2010 is still almost a year away but Kiffin knows that the nation’s best quarterback prospects will start stamping their tickets soon.
“Guys will be committing here in the next couple of months for this next class already,” he said.
Kiffin hopes one of those prospects will be committing to UT.
The Vols haven’t signed a quarterback in the last two seasons. Kiffin hinted that the situation isn’t ideal for UT, but perfect for the right prospect.
“We have a great set up — to be able to recruit a great guy in this next class,” Kiffin said. “We have a lot of work to do.”
Leftovers: UT is still awaiting decisions from tailbacks David Oku from Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., and Bryce Brown from East High School in Wichita, Kan.
Kiffin maintained on Wednesday that UT wasn’t done recruiting for the 2009 class.
“It’s not finalized,” he said. “This class is not finalized. It may not be finalized for a couple of weeks.”
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 226
volfan_stuck_in_jersey writes:
this would be sweet!
pammyvol1000 writes:
How cool would that be?
DennisVols writes:
Reel him in Coach. Not only would he be a great QB but the media attention for games would equal Manning's years here.
golfballs03 writes:
Absolutely! Keep them coming. Great things are happening here
straightshooter writes:
To recruit the son of likely the greatest QB in football history to date! Awesome! I had seen a year back that Joe had two sons that were QB's.One was significantly better than the other.
berrymuchavol writes:
sweet!but i also like philip sims
yeavols#228407 writes:
OK wow..I am not a name dropper..but Montana, Tennessee sounds like a great place to be. Show him the papers..He'll beef up to 210 lbs, and if he's a pro style, WELCOME! Just a side thought...because we didn't recruit a QB this year..or rather we couldn't get one..Don't you think that it paves the way for a TOP flight QB to be looking at us? Kiffin apparently knew what he was doing. I think I understand more and more everyday his tactics..
GoodOleRockyTop writes:
Go kiff!
yeavols#228407 writes:
They can all go to Notre Dame..it hasn't payed off in years..Notre Dame is now just a school that relies on it's name rather than championships..Just one question to Monti Te'o out of Hawaii who signed with Notre Dame..."What the HADES were you thinking?"
berrymuchavol writes:
hmmmmm just a thought did kiffen tell oku to decomit to try to land bryce brown and then sign oku too that would be sweet and get charles too.never know what kiff may do
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Maybe I get biased from the local Media (I now live in Redmond - right next to Sammamish working for some software ncompany) - but Jake Heaps is the real deal - Sarkisian will be giving him the same USC spiel as Kiff.
But Joe was my favorite - we had a Munoz we could use a Montana.
halloffamebowler writes:
Nick Montana,Wow!If that kid is anything like his Pap,bring him on.I was in Canton Ohio to see Joe Montana inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.That was one of my greatest sports moments.Maybe Nick will join Joe there someday.Come to Big Orange Country Joe and start your Hall Of Fame march from Knoxville,Tennessee.
volunteer11 writes:
he aint that good
volzcrushm writes:
Hey, Archie Manning went to Ole Miss.... But we got the Payton!! Anything is possible and Montana sounds great in orange! I think he would pull some serious contenders with him if we got an early commitment.
murrayvol writes:
Notre Dame will be a player for his services if a coaching change is in the works.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Ok so his dad went there...but I didn't get the part about Eric Berry and Notre Dame..Just sayin..
yeavols#228407 writes:
Thanks Tweet...I needed some reassurance on that...glad to know you know about it too...
yeavols#228407 writes:
ok..sorry..took me a minute..i am now on the same page Scotty. Thanks for the clarification.
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
This wpuld be awesome and I think we will get a great QB next year!
We need some receivers too!
smashmouth98 writes:
Unreal. The name goes a long way and it could definitely help with other 5* prospects.
They said he already visited, did he like it?
hotrodvol writes:
Don't forget, that's the same school Will Smith's son goes to also. We might get all three of them. That would be a media frenzy, even bigger than what we have gotten today.:)
volhammer#634294 writes:
I hope we stay away from another Sims. Chris Sims soured me !!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Don't give Urbane your cell #. He'll call you in the huddle next year.
Second quarter with 3rd and goal.
State championships.
THEKIDWI writes:
Just like the days of Peyton Manning and....and.....and....oh yeah, Brandon Stewart (how'd that work out at Texas A&M for you Brandon???...)
But seriously, good to read that Casey landed on his feet. Always liked his fire and "get it done" style of play.
While he didn't have the most tools, I think there are a lot worse #3 QB's in the NFL. Good for him though.
Voluvr writes:
Oaks Christian is 48-0. Will Smith's son WR, Wayne Gretzky's son 6'4" QB, and Nick Montana.
Marlon Brown is going to be real happy he dodged the national spotlight right here in his home state if Montana comes here.
Manning...........Montana.......
Go Kiffen!
berrymuchavol writes:
not the same sims trust me different color.this guy can play
Voluvr writes:
Oh yeah, don't recruit Montana because of Simms. Note to self don't hire volhammer as recruiting director
_________Lane Kiffen
Being a legacy doesn't make him a Simms. btw, Simms showed up to first practice at Texas in a limo. don't see that from a Montana.
berrymuchavol writes:
we have offered shttp://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...
berrymuchavol writes:
not phil sims son u dumb brass
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Wasn't there a sandwich at Arby's called the Big Montana? ummmmmmmmm....Jamoca shake.....
chefvols writes:
Bob Kesling: 4th Quarter 1 minute 38 seconds remain here at neyland stadium. The gators coming in with a 9 game winning streak. 22 recruits in the stands. The vols are driving behing the arm of Montana. Down 6. A record crowd in attendance here in Knoxville. The snap. Montana play action to Oku, rolls right, pump fakes fires down deep he's gottem wide open...it's richardson....nu'keese makes it easy...TOUCHDOWN....BIG ORANGE!!! GOD I am fired up.
kentuckyorange writes:
Link to info about some schools he already has offers from.
http://www.dailynews.com/ci_11628346?...
dvhill100 writes:
The name recognition is nice, but can he play? I don't care who his daddy is if we win with him.
Jankypoo writes:
Future's so bright, we oughta wear shades!
chefvols writes:
you got some errors too there Webster
Voluvr writes:
go to youtube
nick montana
then, state champ game
then, get you some.
chefvols writes:
what's the over/under on how many concussions Eric Berry causes on opposing receivers? I am going to set it at 5.5! The half is for Marlon Brown, I here he's a few ribs short of a full slab.
berrymuchavol writes:
ok butt wipe i was talking about philip sims not phil simms son different one so check your self http://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...
uahvol75 writes:
Yeah and he goes to the same school that Jerod Askew came from..can you say pipeline!?!
chefvols writes:
I heard Janzen Jackson went to Gus's and got a pastrami smoked cheddar on dark all the way...devoured it. He said that sandwich made him go UT.
Voluvr writes:
It's goVolsXtra.com not
Vols Extra.com, Not with an E genius.
Voluvr writes:
Orange Man: It's govolsxtra.com NOT vols Extra.com with an E. Genius.
bluetick writes:
I didn't think we had a hockey team. Weird.
Seriously though. There is only ONE Joe Montana, but heres to hope. You KNOW we are going to get one of the TOP QB's next year. NO question about it. I care more about a no name GREAT COLLEGE QB than I do just a name like Montana.
BlueTickLady writes:
Pammy where have you been? I have missed having another female around!
bluetick writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
berrymuchavol writes:
sims is a good one i really like this kid we have already offered him and so has alabama
bluetick writes:
Yea me too. :) Been at least a week now. haha
chefvols writes:
? don't get rattled, wrong guy...or should i say rong.
dvhill100 writes:
He certainly seems to be the real deal from the video. If he is half the QB dad was, bring him in. I saw his dad put a beat down on the Chargers and watched one of the prettiest bombs to Jerry Rice. Went 80 yards for a TD.
Couldn't believe how empty the seats were for the state championship. I played at Knox Central in 1972. We were ranked 17th in the nation running the triple option. Unfortunately, we played Bristol, TN, who was ranked 1st. Was not a pretty sight.
We played in Neyland and the crowd was huge. We also had John Ward doing the public address for the game. In the 4th quarter, Bristol (Tennessee High) called time out. John Ward, as only he can do, called over the PA, "Time out, Tennessee...............High." We were not amused. It was funny later.
chefvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
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