Z factor: UT likes Mason's move to tight end

It didn't take long for the decision to be made.

"I've always said that if I was going to have better scholarship offers from football then I was going to take it," said tight end Zaccheus Mason, who is scheduled to take his official visit to Tennessee this weekend.

It's not as if Mason, who likes to be called Z, didn't have options had he stuck to basketball instead of football.

The talented athlete from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville had more than 30 scholarship offers from schools smaller than he'd prefer to attend. Western Kentucky topped the list.

Football, however, affords Mason the opportunity to play at a higher level. He's considering scholarship offers from UT and Ole Miss after playing tight end for the first time this past season.

"He is a 6-5, 250-pound 17-year-old that has incredible speed and hands for his body type," Christian Presbyterian coach Jay Matthews said. "He has a prototype body for a tight end."

In fact, Mason is so athletic that he played quarterback in Matthews' version of the "Wildcat" package, a zone read offense that has recently gained fame in college and the NFL.

"This year, the football light really came on," Matthews said. "During his senior year, it appeared his best opportunities would be in football."

College coaches confirmed as much. One of the first was former UT coach Phillip Fulmer, who extended Mason an offer midway through his senior season.

Then came the coaching change. Eventually, another coach at UT was equally impressed with Mason.

"I know he was real excited when Coach (Lane) Kiffin came at watched him at a basketball game," Matthews said. "He wasn't sure what was going to happen in the transition."

Excited about Kiffin, yes. But Mason admits he's still a bit unsure about the Vols and probably a bit more comfortable with Ole Miss.

"I don't know much about UT because they had the coaching change," said Mason, who is being recruited by assistant coach James Cregg.

UT, however, has proximity on its side and the lure that comes with playing for an in-state school.

"I guess it's a big factor for my family to be able to come see me play and it not be a big issue," Mason said.

The former Mr. Basketball finalist is still playing basketball but isn't harboring any dreams of playing two sports in college. Once his high school season is complete, he'll be a tight end not a forward.

Before then, Mason will have to make a difficult decision, one that he never dreamed he'd be making just six months ago, especially since he just played football for three seasons - at defensive end before 2008.

It's a lot to digest in a very short amount of time.

"Coaches are showing a lot of interest in me," he said. "I'm getting kind of nervous because I've got a lot of decision making to come soon."

The Recruiting Lane: Like his predecessor, Kiffin will tour the state a day after National Signing Day. Kiffin will speak to fans in Knoxville over breakfast, Nashville over lunch and Memphis for dinner on Feb. 5.

Fans can RSVP at utsports.com for any of the three events. The Knoxville event will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center. Tickets are $25.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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