Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli Meets With The Media

Aug. 9, 2010

QUARTERBACK Jeremiah Masoli

Do you feel that everybody knows your side of the story?

I am just satisfied that my side of the story is actually out there for the public to view for themselves. I know not everybody is going to have the chance to read it or hear about it, but I am thankful for Sports Illustrated for doing that.

How was your first day?

It was hot out there. That is a complete understatement. I am from San Francisco, and the humidity was getting to me. I was a little rusty, but besides that, it felt good to be in a helmet out there with the team.

What has last two months and last two weeks been like for you?

It's been a little tough. But I had some great opportunities from at least a half a dozen Division I schools. I was happy to have that opportunity. I am really thankful to Ole Miss, the Athletics Director and the Chancellor giving me my last chance. I understand that, and I am determined to do everything with it.

Coming from Pac-10, how much SEC did you watch and what's your perception of the SEC?

SEC is big time. Everybody across the nation as soon as you mention SEC it holds a lot. I did watch some games, and they were exciting. I am completely excited to be in this conference and play on the field against these other teams.

Why did you pick Ole Miss and how were the conversations with (Houston) Nutt?

Coach Nutt is the main reason I came here. As a person, he caught my attention. I could hear the genuineness in his voice. Something about him made me feel comfortable.

Talk about spring at Oregon and playing some wide receiver.

Spring ball was a little interesting, because I did play some receiver. At the time I was suspended for the season, so I wasn't getting as many reps at quarterback. We were kind of hurting at receiver, which led me to be out there. It was fun playing a new position. Any time you get to play a new position, especially as a quarterback, it's fun.

Did the half dozen schools contact you or did you seek out who needed a quarterback?

I did my own research. Some of them contacted me, but it was mostly me doing my own research, and seeing the availability of the quarterback position.

What do you expect of yourself and what can you bring to the team?

I'm just another piece of the puzzle. Whatever the team needs me to do, I am going to do. That's my personal expectations as well as team goals. Whatever they need me to do to help them win here, is what I am going to do.

Are you going out with something to prove, knowing some people are leery about your past?

That's always going to be there. It's not just about football. It's about coming out and proving myself. Coach Nutt has given me another chance, and I am determined to do the most I can with it. I'm not going to let anybody else down.

How is this opportunity different previous places with being that it's your last chance? Is it more like a job interview?

It's like job interviews. I am here to do it to the best of my abilities and show who I am, not what the media portrays, but the true Jeremiah Masoli and how my parents raised me.

How have you been received by the team as a new teammate?

It's been great. Football is football across the nation. These guys have been nothing but welcoming. There is a great atmosphere in the locker room. You can tell the team has a great bond with each other. I'm just glad to be part of it.

What have you done to change/watch behavior to make sure something doesn't happen over the next six months?

I'm just watching my surroundings and who I am with. That's all I can do. I come from a great home with a great family. My parents instilled some great values in me. I just look to live like that.

Talk about what skill-set you bring to this team.

I am a true duel-threat quarterback. I can run and I can pass. Being in this offense will give me a great chance to showcase both those talents.

Do you expect to be starting quarterback for the Rebels in first game?

I'm not worried about that right now. I am just taking it one day at a time. Yesterday was the first day of practice, today is the second. I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to stay focused on what I can do for the team.

Was it tough being a No. 2 quarterback for you yesterday after starting at Oregon?

No. I was just happy to be out there on the field. It was great practicing and getting to be out there with these guys.

What have your conversations been like with Nathan Stanley?

We are cool. He's a real good guy. We've been buddies. I haven't had too much conversation with anybody. He's a good person. It' not like there is any quarterback controversy or anything.

Have you received any calls from Oregon teammates since you got here? Do you keep up with them?

Yes definitely. Those are my buddies. We've had the last two seasons together. We made some memories. I do still keep in contact with them. When they did find out (I was coming here) a couple of them sent me a text wishing me the best.

What have you learned about yourself the last couple of months?

To have resiliency and to stay strong for my family, because this whole thing has been really tough on them. Getting persecuted in the media was one of the toughest things for my family. I was just reassuring them that everything was going to be alright, and now I'm here.

What is talent level difference between here and Oregon?

It's a completely different team. The first thing I noticed yesterday was the defensive line. It's just two completely different teams. Oregon is good at what they do. They run a completely different offense, even though there are some similar things. Here, we have great talent at receiver and some o-linemen that can get it done.

Compare the style of defenses between Pac-10 and SEC.

I don't too much about SEC defenses, but I'm familiar with the Pac-10 defenses. In the Pac-10 we had some really great opponents last season as well as the year before that.

How far along are you in the playbook and how long until you know it well?

For the first day, I feel like I did pretty well mentally. I'm still a long ways away. That was only day one, and day two is a whole new set of plays that I am going to have to learn and adapt to. I'm just taking it day by day.

Talk about your maturity as a football player from high school, to junior college, to Oregon and here.

Coming from high school to junior college, I really learned how to be a true quarterback, a complete quarterback, managing the game and all the little things you have to do. There I really developed my leadership skills as a quarterback and it carried over to Oregon. It definitely gave me some great experience. I think my experience there combined with my days at as a leader at the junior college is what makes me a good quarterback.

Do you feel like being on the field is the easiest part or being here in a new place?

Definitely. Football is second nature to us. It's not just on the field; it's off the field, making some lifelong friendships.

What do you know and like about the Wild Rebel?

I love it. Coach Nutt does a great job getting guys in the open space on the perimeter. I'm anxious to get out there and start getting into it.

Are you ok with having an offense named after you - Wild Masoli?

No we can just keep it the Wild Rebel. I like that name.

I know you are still waiting on NCAA. Until that's done are you anxious to be done with the whole process and here to stay?

Not really, because I'm here to stay. I'm not going anywhere.

How excited are you for Oct. 16 to be playing at Alabama?

They are the defending national champions, so of course it's human nature to highlight that on the schedule. But we have to take it one game at a time and hopefully go in there with a good record.

If someone had told you seven months ago that you would be standing in here in 100 degree heat in a different uniform playing for a different team, what would you have said?

I would have told them they were crazy. God works in mysterious ways, and I am just happy to be here with Coach Nutt and the whole situation. I am really thankful to be here.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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