Juco QB could be part of picture this season

Nick Lamaison is hoping for an opportunity to play quarterback at Tennessee this fall.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Lamaison attends Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., and is being evaluated by UT’s coaching staff.

Lamaison still needs to finish his spring semester and pass an additional course next month in order to be eligible to transfer to UT.

Lamaison said he’s spoken to UT offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and recruiting coordinator/defensive line coach Ed Orgeron about the possibility of playing for the Vols.

Lamaison has a scholarship offer from North Dakota State but said he’s waiting to see if UT makes an offer.

“I would love to be on the biggest stage in college football,” said Lamaison, who attended South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif.

Lamaison said he’s familiar with UT coach Lane Kiffin from his days as coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Lamaison said he’s intrigued by the possibility of playing for a coach with NFL experience.

“I’d be real fortunate and blessed to be around those types of football people and those football minds and just to be the best sponge I can and try to get all the information I can about the game because I love it,” said Lamaison, who threw for more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns last season, completing almost 67 percent of his passes.

Lamaison also sees an opportunity to help UT immediately.

Senior Jonathan Crompton and junior Nick Stephens are the only quarterbacks on scholarship.

Mike Rozier, a former pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization, will enroll for the first session of summer school on Monday and will be a walk-on.

“That’s one thing that’s really good is that’s a golden opportunity right there that I really would like to seize on,” Lamaison said. “If I could do well I’d love it. I’m familiar with the situation that they have out there and I’m just looking forward to seeing if I could get an opportunity.”

Lamaison said he hasn’t made plans to visit UT but would do so if he gets the opportunity.

Lamaison would have four years to complete three seasons of eligibility.

Freelance contributor Josh Ward contributed to this story.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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