UM President Says Masoli Option “A Very Complex Issue”

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David Brandt of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports that University of Mississippi president Dr. Dan Jones has commented on the possibility of UM bringing in quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.  His take:

“That’s a very complex issue.”

That’s it.  Nothing more.  But the answer was not a flat “no” and I believe that tells us something.

If Houston Nutt has changed his mind and decided to sign the former Oregon quarterback (booted from that team for second degree burglary, possession of weed, and driving on a suspended license), the final say will rest with AD Pete Boone and Jones.

Masoli could play immediately at Ole Miss… if the school petitioned the NCAA to waive the one-year residency clearance, if Masoli enrolled in a graduate school program that is not offered by Oregon, and if Masoli is accepted by the university as a student.

That’s a lot of ifs even Nutt does want Masoli to come in as a last-second ringer.

Assuming that all of that happens — he’s invited, he’s cleared, he’s accepted, etc — there’s still no telling what Masoli might be able to offer the Rebels.

He will have one month at the most to pick up the UM system.  There’s not doubt that Nutt, Dave Rader and Mike Markuson could find ways to use Masoli’s talent via Wild Rebel packages, but whether or not he could actually serve as a productive quarterback is still very much open for debate.