Lamaison signing announcement removed from school's Web site

Nick Lamaison’s courtship with Tennessee got more confused Thursday when his school’s Web site prematurely reported that he had made his college decision.

Mt. San Antonio Community College reported the quarterback had signed with UT on Wednesday night. The story was removed Thursday afternoon after media outlets started using the Web site as the source of the signing.

“We will truly miss Nick, however we are excited for him and his opportunity to play and challenge for the starting job at Tennessee,” offensive coordinator Tom Craft was quoted as saying on athletics.mtsac.edu before the story was removed. “Had he stayed for another season with us, he would have challenged many of the all-time community college records.”

While Lamaison has long been in the Vols’ plans, he declined to admit he has signed with UT for the past month.

When reached by the News Sentinel on Thursday, the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder had no comment.

There’s reason for UT to keep Lamaison’s signing quiet. The Vols are in the hunt for a more high-profile quarterback for the 2010 class, Jesse Scroggins of Lakewood (Calif.) High School. Lamaison could enroll in August and be available to play this fall.

Lamaison was mostly overlooked coming out of South Hills High in West Covina, Calif. He improved his stock at Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif., although UT is thought to be the only major college pursuing him.

Lamaison proved an efficient passer at Mt. San Antonio, where he threw for 3,479 yards, 36 touchdowns and posted a passing efficiency of 166.5.

Last season as a freshman Lamaison led the Mounties to a conference and Southern California championship.

Lamaison could provide important depth for the Vols this season. UT has only two scholarship quarterbacks on its roster: senior Jonathan Crompton and junior Nick Stephens.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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