Former Oregon quarterback may be headed to UNLV

Former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli could be headed to UNLV, according to at least two Internet reports.

He would bring the promise of a Pac-10 Conference champion quarterback, as well as the risk of a player who ran afoul of the law and was booted off the team.

How much interest, if any, exists between Masoli and UNLV is difficult to know.

NCAA rules prevent coach Bobby Hauck from commenting about a recruitable athlete, and e-mail and phone messages left Wednesday with the Masoli family weren't returned.

Scout.com and ESPN Insider first reported Masoli might end up at UNLV.

Masoli has a season of eligibility left, but it's unclear if he could play this year. He reportedly has completed his undergraduate work at Oregon, but to play immediately, Masoli would need to show the master's program he wants to enter isn't available at Oregon, then receive an NCAA waiver endorsed by Oregon.

But Masoli also has a redshirt season available, so his other option is sitting out this year and playing in 2011.

Should he land at UNLV and play right away, Masoli would be a major boost to a program that fell one game short of bowl eligibility the past two seasons, but faces a brutal 13-game schedule this year.

He led Oregon to the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth last season, guiding an offense that averaged 37 points and 424 yards per game. Masoli passed for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 668 yards and 13 scores.

UNLV averaged 25 points and 351 yards last season in going 5-7, but quarterback is among the Rebels' strongest positions.

Senior Omar Clayton, junior Mike Clausen and highly touted redshirt freshman Caleb Herring will compete for the position next month. Clayton has started 23 career games, and in 2009 passed for 2,230 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 238 yards and three TDs.

If Hauck adds Masoli, it will continue UNLV's tradition of first-year coaches bringing in big-name Pac-10 quarterbacks. Coaches John Robinson (Jason Thomas) and Mike Sanford (Rocky Hinds) brought in QBs from Southern California.

But unlike Thomas and Hinds, Masoli would carry considerable off-field baggage that would make him potentially a high-risk/high-reward pickup who could help define Hauck's tenure at UNLV.

It's understandable if Hauck would want to take such a risk to turn around a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2000. But he would have to be prepared for any potential downside.

Masoli was dismissed by Oregon in June after being found with marijuana during a traffic stop, when he also was driving with a suspended license. He already was under team suspension after pleading guilty in March for burglary at a fraternity in January.

His legal troubles, however, go back well before Oregon.

Masoli was expelled in high school and served three months in 2005 at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall in San Mateo, Calif., for his part in robberies at a mall and bus stops.

If UNLV brings Masoli aboard and he gets in more trouble, Hauck and athletic director Jim Livengood would come under considerable scrutiny, especially given the school's recent controversies.

Assistant football coach Ty Gregorak was forced out in May following his arrest in Boulder, Colo., though theft and vehicular trespassing charges were dropped Friday.

Basketball star Tre'Von Willis' future at UNLV is in jeopardy after his arrest last month for allegedly choking a woman. His former teammate, Matt Shaw, was dismissed in April after failing an NCAA-administered drug test.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.