Montana says he won't wait around on Vols

Nick Montana is patiently waiting on Tennessee - for now.

"I'm not going to wait around for them," the highly touted quarterback from Oaks Christian Academy in Westlake Village, Calif., said Thursday. "I'm going to visit a couple of other schools and if I feel one's the best fit, I'm done."

Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, isn't trying to give UT an ultimatum, but he would like to get the process over with and he hopes the Vols make him an offer.

"They're definitely still in it," the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder said. "I'm not going to wait around, but there would definitely be a lot of interest (if UT offered)."

Montana is wondering if UT's interest might have cooled.

"I'm not too sure," he said. "I've been talking to (quarterbacks) coach (David) Reaves and coach (Jim) Chaney. I'm not too sure what's going on. I guess I'll just see what happens.

"We're just kind of talking right now. They said they like me and they're going to come out during spring ball to see me. But who knows? I might have my decision made by then."

Montana's goal is simple. He wants to make his decision so he can focus on his senior season.

"I'm trying to get my decision out as soon as possible, definitely before my senior year and I'm pushing for within a couple of months," Montana said. "I'm looking for the best fit right now."

Montana already has offers from Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Alabama, Stanford, Maryland, Arizona, Nebraska and Ohio State. He's waiting on UT, Southern California and UCLA.

He has taken unofficial visits to UT, Oregon, UCLA, Southern Cal, Ohio State and Texas.

He traveled to Knoxville at coach Lane Kiffin's behest and was impressed.

"Coach Kiffin wanted me to take a visit out there so I did," Montana said. "It was a cool place. It's in the SEC. The fan base is ridiculous. It was a good experience."

Montana is busy scheduling more visits this spring. He'll visit Southern Cal once again on Saturday for its junior day. As of now, there is no leader nor top group of schools leading for his services.

"I'm getting a better feel for some of the schools and some of the schools I'm more interested in," Montana said. "I just want to make sure I evaluate everything that's out there."

Montana is an interesting prospect in that he's more athletic than an average pro-style quarterback. A track star, Montana could be a dual-threat quarterback but he would like to play in a pro-style offense if possible.

However, Texas and Ohio State, which run versions of the spread offense, are also possibilities.

Montana has plenty of advisers to help him through the recruiting process. First, there's his father.

"It's really amazing to have him helping me after practice or the next day after a game," he said. "We can throw in the film, and he'll tell me what he likes and just help me through it all."

Montana's high school quarterback coach, former UT quarterback Casey Clausen, can also provide some assistance.

"I have to make the best decision for me," Montana said, recalling some of Clausen's advice, "and don't feel like you owe some of these colleges something."

If UT doesn't land Montana, there's a good chance that the Vols will be playing him. With a handful of SEC offers and an affinity for the conference, it's possible that Montana could be headed east.

"I think there is a strong draw for almost anybody (to play in the SEC)," Montana said. "Football is everything out there, so it's a pretty special place on game day. "

UT is thought to have offered a handful of quarterbacks, including Jake Heaps from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash.

Camping: UT will host a junior camp on Saturday. Several of the top prospects in the region are scheduled to attend.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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