Irvin eagerly awaits for Mt. SAC and Tennessee football

MISTAKE: On the previous stories regarding Bruce Irvin, he was written as standing at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. That information is incorrect. Irvin said he stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 235 pounds.

An ESPN article written by David Duffey stated a list of his 10 worst college football teams entitled ‘The Bottom 10’ and placed the University of Tennessee as the 5th worst team in college football. Future Tennessee Volunteer Bruce Irvin responded the article by acknowledging that the Volunteers are in the process of rebuilding but cares less about the negative information said about the team.

“I don’t expect them to be a national title contender this year,” Irvin said. “The team is rebuilding so it’s probably going to take another year of recruiting but the run will start in 2010 and I’m proud to be a part of that 2010 class.”

But before all that is considered, Irvin still has one full season to play at Mt. San Antonio College and has said that he’s ready and prepared to help the Mounties go all the way.

“I think we have the team to win state,” Irvin said. “But by not having much depth in the lineup, it could be an issue for us.”

The Georgia native said the Mounties would have to go to work early and attack quick in the first half to put themselves over the opponents to be in a comfortable position.

“I think we’re capable of doing that,” Irvin said.

The Mounties will be at home playing against Pasadena Community College on Sept. 5, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m.

A pancake breakfast will take place at the football field house Saturday, Aug. 22 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a scrimmage that will take place until noon. For more information on fees, location and parking, log on to http://athletics.mtsac.edu.

Unveiling the 2009 Mt. SAC football playmakers – Part 1

After a heartbreaking loss to Butte last year in the state championship game, the Mt. San Antonio College Mounties will be seeking atonement as their first game of the 2009 season approaches with less than a month away.

Former quarterback Nick Lamaison (Now at Tennessee) led the Mounties to a big start in the 2008 season delivering a MVP-like performance with quick pass attacks and the ability to put points on the board early in games. With his contribution the Mounties provided offense that many opposing teams could not handle. However, it wasn’t until the latter half of the season when Lamaison suffered a leg/ankle injury that limited his playing time.

By watching from the sidelines, his teammate and backup quarterback Tyler Vanderzee stepped in and gave an impressive debut and performance against Fullerton and a better-than-expected contribution throughout the rest of the season. Lamaison was able to put in some minutes fighting his injury but Vanderzee took the load and helped carry the Mounties to the state championship game.

Vanderzee’s ability to bob, weave and scramble inside and outside the pocket provided key plays to help the offense come through for the team but unfortunately came short as the team sputtered in the end.

Along with Vanderzee, the class of ’09 consists of many great weapons that Mt. SAC has to offer. As one coach put it, “This team has probably 14-15 players who will make it to D1 easy.”

The following is a list of the first of many players who will help in getting that state championship for Mt. SAC:

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Lester Thomas leans out for a one-handed catch during a run-and-catch drill at practice.

LESTER THOMAS
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Wide Receiver
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Central Florida, South Florida, Fort Valley, Michigan
OTHER SCHOOLS THOMAS IS INTERESTED IN: Tennessee, BYU, UCLA, Utah, Texas, LSU, Georgia, Clemson, Hawaii

JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Thomas is a humble person and a ‘to-himself’ kind of guy. He is low-key, speaks very little but let’s his game speak for itself. Clearly he has the best hands on the team and almost always catches any pass that comes to him. He moves well enough to beat his defender in receiving the short 5-15 yard pass or the long 20-50 yards. He loves to run deep and go for the long bomb.

On a few occasions, Thomas has made some spectacular catches, a couple of them with one hand leaving teammates in oohs and aahs. Despite not being with the team last year, Thomas is definitely one of the weapons that will contribute in giving Mt. SAC that chance to go far in the post-season.

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Jesse Canada pushes away a Golden West defender while running for a touchdown.

JESSE CANADA
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Wide Receiver
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: New Mexico State, Arizona State, Boise State, Syracuse, TCU, Utah, Utah State, Tennessee
OTHER SCHOOLS CANADA IS INTERESTED IN: Canada has said that he would like to go anywhere but Utah and Tennessee really excited him.

JAMES’ ANALYSIS: The receivers’ coach said Canada and teammate Lester Thomas are two players who will be significant and pretty much the goto guys for the upcoming season. Canada stands (from my guess) about 6’2″, has nice acceleration in his speed but uses his height well in receiving catches.

Although at times he has missed some passes during practice (what receiver doesn’t), Canada plays on a whole different level and raises his game noticeably during the games.

Despite the stats showing him only with 70 receptions, 927 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns, Canada is more than what is shown on paper. Offensive coordinator Tom Craft has a philosophy in bringing a balanced offense attack giving not one or two receivers the extra yardage but anyone who is open to receive and to get the extra yards. Lamaison completed many of his passes not targeting on one receiver alone but to everyone–picking his spots and delivering the passes.

With teammates Matt Austin and Gabe Tuata both moving on (both were the top two receivers statistically last season), Canada will be one of the first group to get that opportunity.

NOTE: The University of Utah called with interest in signing Canada but there was no word if any further talks went on with that. Canada said Tennessee had called him at the end of last season with interest but nothing had resumed afterwards.

Lane Kiffin was named head coach for Tennessee on Dec. 2 last year which gives the possibility that his staff was interested with Canada considering the final game of the season for Mt. SAC ended on Dec. 13.

It’s obvious Canada likes Tennessee. But does Kiffin like Canada?

Will Kiffin revisit contact with Canada if he comes through with an impressive sophomore year? If it happens, there surely will be more D1 schools knocking at his door.

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore running backs Burton & Lancer Iosefa will work together to help the Mounties' running game this year.

LANCER & BURTON IOSEFA
STATUS: Sophomores
POSITION: Running Back
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: BYU (May be other schools interested but unknown at this time)
OTHER SCHOOLS IOSEFAS ARE INTERESTED IN: Utah, ASU, Hawaii

JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Lancer said this past spring BYU offered a package deal to have both brothers come to the team.

There hasn’t been word if the Iosefas are willing to break up and go separate ways. If they choose to leave together to other schools, it’ll be a tough call for those schools interested to consider it. But if BYU is offering that package, then there really is no option but to go that way.

On the field, the two athletes are quick. They love to swerve and run and turn and speed away from the pocket and take off to the end zone on every play/drill. While it’s hard to determine the difference between both in their running style, Burton has been impressive throughout last season with his quickness. He rushed for 780 yards with 143 carries and 10 touchdowns, three of those games he rushed for 100+ yards.

Lancer on the other hand had limited touches with the ball during his time in 2007 playing alongside Kevin Craft. During that year, the emphasis was more on gaining passing yardage than with the running game.

After that season Coach Tom Craft organized some plays and schemes to incorporate a running game in the offense. With a bad leg injury in the beginning of last season, Lancer was unable to play and had to sit out. This year he has the opportunity to redeem himself and work with his brother together for the first time at Mt. SAC and deliver a 1-2 punch against the defense.

While their heights might seem problematic against the toughness of the opposing defense, the two brothers find no major problems dealing with the Mt. SAC defense during the drills and move swiftly through the pocket almost every time.

From jcfootball.scout.com:

The Iosefas’ So Cal Combine Results from Spring 2009

Burton Iosefa
5′8 1/2″, 183
Forty: 4.63, Shuttle: 3.97, Vertical: 35.4, Bench: 15 reps of 225

Lancer Iosefa
5-7, 180
Forty: 4.67 (laser), Shuttle: 3.91, Vertical: 39, Bench: 18 reps of 225

NOTE: If both can share and breakout with some good statistics on paper, they will also find many D1 schools knocking at their door.

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore offensive lineman Joe Unga will help defend the Mt. SAC offense this fall.

JOE UNGA
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Offensive Line
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Oregon State, UCLA, Kansas, Weber State, Washington, Louisville
OTHER SCHOOLS UNGA IS INTERESTED IN: Unga said he would like to go to any of the schools previously mentioned BUT he said, “I would love to stay out here in the west.”

JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Unga is 6’6″ 310 pounds. His twin brothers, Kevin and Devin are playing at Oregon State. If Unga chooses to stay close with family (which might be all the more reason to consider Oregon State as his first choice) it’s pretty evident where he would want to go. However, with UCLA calling and his cousin Eddie Williams playing for the Bruins this year, it might require some more time in deciding where he’ll go. But then again, maybe not.

“If UCLA calls, I want to come play–I love Southern California,” he said.

With former teammate Dominique Gaisie up at University of Washington as well as former Mt. SAC assistant coach Demetrius Martin, the sweepstakes for Unga become more interesting. Having played with Williams beside him and going head-to-head against USC’s defensive tackle Hebron ‘Loni’ Fangupo numerous times during practices, Unga will be prepared and ready for whatever comes his way for the Mounties this year.

“My mission this year is to help the offensive line, work as a team and work as a brotherhood,” Unga said. “The more we talk, the more comfortable we’ll be.”

Unga has the perfect height and body to be a presence in the offensive line. His strength will allow anyone playing beside him to aid in warding off the charging defensive line. Despite the exceptional job Unga has provided in protecting Lamaison last season, he said he also wants to get better physically and work on his mechanics more.

“I think I’m in good shape but I can be better,” he said.

Unga’s So Cal combine workout results this past Spring:

Joe Unga
6′6″, 310
Forty: 5.04 (h), Shuttle: 4.5, Vertical: 27.8, Bench: 10 reps of 225

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Defensive end Bruce Irvin will help lead the frontline defense to give opposing teams problems.

BRUCE “BJ” IRVIN
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Defensive End; Linebacker; Safety
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Tennessee, USC, LSU
OTHER SCHOOLS IRVIN IS INTERESTED IN: None

JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Irvin is a monster. The six-foot five-inch sophomore has been working hard during the summer to get into shape. While it’s hard to tell, Irvin seems the same on his upper body but looks more defined. My guess is that the coaching staff is looking for him to utilize more quickness when playing on the defensive end. Irvin has spent time in the summer working real hard with his academics to make an easy transition out of Mt. SAC and into wherever he goes.

The rumor with USC is that head coach Pete Carroll was interested in Irvin but talks may have died down. According to sources, Carroll was impressed with Irvin’s combine results and loved Irvin’s speed. By being accompanied with the rest of USC’s defense, Irvin would be an instant and effective chess piece in the Trojan’s lineup.

From my opinion, it really looks like Irvin is on his way to Tennessee. He seems set on it for sure and is making no mention of conflictions with his choices. But Irvin has all that left aside for now and is locked in for the upcoming Mt. SAC season. Irvin said there’s some unfinished business that needs to be done at the junior college.

“I’m pumped about everything that’s going on and I’m ready,” he said. “There’s business to handle at Mt. SAC–people think we’re a joke but we got a lot to prove this year.”

Bruce Irvin
6′5″, 240
Forty: 4.36 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 34.3, Bench: 20 reps of 225

The following story/feature will be a first of many profiles of Mt. SAC football players to be looked at. For more questions, email James Choy at James909@gmail.com.

Harfman kicks his way from Mt. SAC to USC

PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY: USC kicker Jacob Harfman kicks a 38-yard field goal during a game against Allan Hancock on Nov. 22, 2008. The Mounties won by a score of 52-14.

Once upon a sunny November afternoon during football practice, a 19-year-old Jacob Harfman stood focusing his eyes at the uprights, about 67 yards away from the field goal. He planted his worn-out cleats onto the ground, gazing at the two poles. Both of his legs were straightened, his 198-pound body positioned at a 45-degree angle slanted forward, arms hanging downward on his sides, his fingers jiggling.

The heat from the radiant sun glistened on his sweat-filled forehead. And within a second, Harfman approached, swung back his right leg as far back as he could and pummeled the dirt-filled pigskin high into the smoggy Southern California sky, going, going, going … his teammates all looking on.

Did he get it?

Harfman gazed as the football cleared right down the middle, easily over the horizontal bar. The players stared in amazement. Harfman’s Trojan teammate, (also a teammate at Mt. SAC) Hebron ‘Loni’ Fangupo stood beside the uprights jumping up and down in excitement.

Harfman kicked a 67-yard field goal on a routine day at practice on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College.

Joe Unga, an offensive lineman for Mt. SAC saw the kick and was in awe.

“You never have to worry about Jake,” Unga said. “He would always do that every time I see him kick a field goal.”

On Aug. 7, The Trojans will begin camp in preparation for their 2009 college football season. Like Harfman, many other incoming players will get down and dirty with the ‘official’ start of Trojan football.

For Harfman, being at USC is something that still surprises him.

“It still seems surreal being here practicing at USC,” he said. “But I’m enjoying it and doing what I wanted to do and that’s help in anyway I can.”

With teammates Joe Houston and Jordan Congdon kicking alongside, Harfman is competing to start for all the kicking jobs.

“I’m kicking good right now,” he said. “I’m looking to get more accurate and also focusing on punting a lot more.”

Harfman spent most of his time at Mt. SAC kicking field goals last year. The longest Harfman kicked during the season was a 56-yard boot that took place during a night game against Riverside.

Harfman hopes to take the position in kicking field goals for the Trojans but will have to perform above his two teammates.

“I know I have a bigger leg and get a lot of height with the ball, but I just need to be more accurate,” he said.

With assistance from former Raiders special teams coach Brian Schneider as well as head coach Pete Carroll overseeing progress, Harfman finds himself in good company in improving his performance.

At Mt. SAC, luck wasn’t always on Harfman’s side. On a number of occasions, he had the misfortune of missing some easy field goals, a few of his missed kicks coming from touchdown field goals. In one instance, he had missed from 20 yards.

Harfman said that the reason for his misses came from being too comfortable.

“It was more me being too relaxed and taking it for granted,” he said. “I wasn’t focusing and working on my fundamentals.”

But Harfman’s progress improved as the season went on. Harfman helped Mt. SAC make it all the way to the state championship game despite losing to Butte 17-9.

With his football season completed at the junior college, Harfman proved to be good enough to get looked at by Carroll and later signing on to play for the Trojans for the 2009 season.

Harfman said that his time at Mt. SAC was worthwhile and a great experience.

“The coaching staff treated me well most definitely,” he said. “I loved being at Mt. SAC, I’m really glad I went there.”

Harfman is one of the many Mt. SAC football players who will be playing for key division I schools.

Including Harfman, Fangupo (his teammate) played defensive tackle for the Mounties last year and will be doing the same this year at USC. Offensive lineman Eddie Williams recently was signed and is currently playing for UCLA. Mt. SAC’s quarterback last season, Nick Lamaison, is at the University of Tennessee this year playing under former USC assistant coach Lane Kiffin. Mt. SAC’s defensive end, Bruce Irvin is currently verbally committed to also play for Kiffin at Tennessee next year and is rumored to be headed that way after he completes his season with Mt. SAC this year.

Harfman recognizes the success that Mt. SAC has provided him and the other players and commends the program for their job well done.

“I think it says alot about Mt. SAC football to be that successful and get all the athletes out to bigtime D1 schools,” he said.

Harfman said he hopes that his former teammates all perform well at their respective schools.

“I’m happy for Nick and Bruce (if he goes to Tennessee) and I think they’ll fit in and do great, especially with the big-name coaches they got over there,” Harfman said.

The Trojans will start their season Sept. 5 when they host San Jose State with the game starting at 12:30 p.m.

D1 schools need to look harder at Mt. SAC Football

For the past number of years, Mt. San Antonio College has noticeably pushed out quality football players and helped them move on to four-year universities with a handful of them going to the pros.

The following is a list of former Mt. SAC players currently in the NFL:

1. Antonio Pierce – Linebacker – New York Giants
2. Alphonso Boone – Defensive Line – Kansas City Chiefs
3. Chris McAlister – Defensive Back – Baltimore Ravens
4. Donte Nicholson – Defensive Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Delanie Walker – Tight End – San Francisco 49ers
6. Rulon Davis – Defensive End – Denver Broncos
—
7. Anthony Calvillo – Quarterback – Montreal Allouettes

In college football, 9 players took part in the 2008 bowl games while a handful of other players represented but did not partake in the bowl matchups. The following names are those who participated:

– Allstate Sugar Bowl – Aiona Key – WR – Utah
– Allstate Sugar Bowl – Aaron Tonga – DT – Utah
– Allstate Sugar Bowl – Viliami Nau – OL – Utah
– Rose Bowl – Greg Woidneck – P – USC
– Pacific Life Holiday Bowl – Tyrell Irvin – LB – Oregon
– Emerald Bowl – Rulon Davis – DE – California
– Champs Sports bowl – Joe Tonga – OL – Florida St.
– Poinsettia Bowl – Garcia Day – S – Boise St.
– Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl – Bernard Afutiti – DL – BYU

* NOTE: Some players were not mentioned in the list above.

* Kevin Craft – UCLA – QB — With a stellar year at Mt. SAC, Craft was the 2007 State Offensive Player of the Year and J.C. Gridwire Offensive Player of the Year completing 61% of his passes with over 4,200 yards passing with 44 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite a tough year last season with UCLA, Craft remains as one of the quarterbacks on the roster under Bruin head coach Rick Neuheisel and may see some action in the 2009 season.

After the 2008 season, the Mounties re-established their roster with a combination of freshmen and sophomores going all the way to the state championship game for the second year in a row, but falling once again as runner-ups. The following is a list of the 2008 class that have moved on to four-year schools:

Nick Lamaison – QB – Tennessee
Hebron Fangupo – DT – USC
Jacob Harfman – K – USC
Eddie Williams – OL – UCLA
Dominique Gaisie – DB – Washington
Vincent Federico – DT – New Mexico State University
Blake Cornalino – OL – Old Dominion
Matt Austin – WR – Utah State
Bobby Alt – DE – University of Montana
Bruce Harris – DB – Nebraska-Omaha
Alfred Rowe – LB – Fort Valley State University
Uafaileeimoo Uelese – DT Fort Valley State University
Dalton Etimani – TE – West Texas A & M
Jonathan Joe – TE – East Central Oklahoma
Justin Hunt – DE – Western New Mexico
Kendall Price – OL – Western New Mexico
Roland Foumai – DE – Western New Mexico
Paul Koloa – DT – NW Oklahoma State
Robert Mata – P – NW Oklahoma State
Jason Cohen – DB – NW Oklahoma State

* NOTE: Some players were not mentioned in the list above.

With many Division I schools sending their scouts over to the junior college, the talent pool at Mt. SAC has risen in the last decade with the credit of staff networking, media presence and the players themselves.

Earlier this year, a number of athletes from the 2009 Mt. SAC football team took part in the JCfootball.com Southern California Combine at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. on May 2.

During the workouts, a number of Mt. SAC players performed in a variety of tests with many faring well. The following is a list of the athletes that stood out:

From http://jcfootball.scout.com:

QUARTERBACKS

Tyler Vanderzee
6’6″, 198
Forty: 4.71 (h), Shuttle: 4.39, Vertical: 30.1, Bench: 8 reps of 185
** Attended unsigned sophomore camp on Friday due to scheduling conflict. Only two combine tests were run on Friday.

Kolby Arendse
6’3″, 227
Forty: 4.77 (h), Shuttle: 4.21, Vertical: 29, Bench: 27 reps of 185

RUNNING BACKS

Bryce Mahmud-McBride
5’6 1/2″, 186
Forty: 4.52 (h), Shuttle: 4.22, Vertical: 36.3, Bench: 15 reps of 225

David Bart
5’5 1/2″, 154
Forty: 4.53 (h), Shuttle: 4.0, Vertical: NA, Bench: 18 reps of 185

Burton Iosefa
5’8 1/2″, 183
Forty: 4.63, Shuttle: 3.97, Vertical: 35.4, Bench: 15 reps of 225

Lancer Iosefa
5-7, 180
Forty: 4.67 (laser), Shuttle: 3.91, Vertical: 39, Bench: 18 reps of 225

OFFENSIVE LINE

Joe Unga
6’6″, 310
Forty: 5.04 (h), Shuttle: 4.5, Vertical: 27.8, Bench: 10 reps of 225

Bruce Seumanutafa
6’4″, 397
Forty: 5.31 (h), Shuttle: 5.22, Vertical: 17.9, Bench: 30 reps of 225

Manase Fuketi
6’5 1/2″, 313
Forty: 5.19 (h), Shuttle: 5.29, Vertical: 27.6, Bench: NA

Desmund Farris
6’2″, 269
Forty: 5.19 (h), Shuttle: 4.69, Vertical: 27.1, Bench: 17 reps of 225

Thomas Sherman (Special Acknowledgment)
5’10”, 174.
Vertical: 38.6

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Bojay Filimoeatu – DT
6’1″, 275
Forty: 4.97 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 25, Bench: 20 reps of 225

Bruce Irvin
6’5″, 240
Forty: 4.36 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 34.3, Bench: 20 reps of 225

Terry Battle
6’1 1/2″, 215
Forty: 4.46 (h), Shuttle: 4.18, Vertical: 35.2, Bench: 22 reps of 225

Michael Willis
6’1″, 222
Forty: 4.64 (h), Shuttle: 4.16, Vertical: 29.6, Bench: 20 reps of 225

LINEBACKERS

Nate Vaiomounga
5’11”, 226
Forty: 4.75 (h), Shuttle: 4.33, Vertical: 33.2, Bench: 20 reps of 225

DEFENSIVE BACK

Arness Ikner – CB
5’6 1/2″, 168
Forty: 4.41 (h), Shuttle: 4.17, Vertical: 33.7, Bench: 11 reps of 225

Manoa Latu – CB
6’0 1/2″, 196
Forty: 4.59 (h), Shuttle: 4.1, Vertical: 32.1, Bench: 15 reps of 225

Isaiah Williams
5’8″, 167
Forty: 4.57 (h), Shuttle: 4.4, Vertical: 33.2, Bench: 13 reps of 185

Malcolm Murray – FS
6’1″, 199
Forty: 4.4 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 33.8, Bench: 13 reps of 225

——

With the high level of competition in Southern Calif., JUCO football consists of talented athletes across the area. With other schools like El Camino, Fullerton, College of the Canyons and Saddleback to name a few, Mt. SAC is one with the rest as one of the top junior colleges in football.

If four-year schools are pondering and wondering of where to find that talent, one of the places to be is that campus just aside the small hills of Walnut, Calif.

———-
Other former Mt. SAC students/players/staff:

– Rocky Seto – USC Defensive Coordinator

– Dewayne Walker – Head Coach-New Mexico State, former Defensive Coordinator-UCLA

– Ron English – Head Coach-Eastern Michigan University, former Defensive Coordinator – Michigan, former Defensive Coordinator – Louisville

* More others to be named.

Mt. SAC’s Lamaison is focused on Tennessee football

Nick Lamaison talks with Coach Tom Craft in between plays during Mt. SAC’s game against Riverside on Oct. 18, 2008.
Photo by James Choy

Former Mt. San Antonio College quarterback Nick Lamaison is getting acclimated to a new place, a new environment a little over 2,000 miles away, far, far away from where he resides in Covina, Calif.

But as far as he is from home, being in Tennessee where football is always talked about and almost a religious thing, Lamaison can feel right at home in his new settling place.

“I’m excited right now,” he said. “It was a long process to get to this point.”

Lamaison said that he is just getting into the state of Tennessee’s culture and the people as well.

“I love the all-around aspect of the place, I love it here,” he said.

The six-foot-one inch product from South Hills High School came to Mt. SAC in 2007, the same time Mt. SAC offensive coordinator Tom Craft and UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft came to the junior college.

At one point, Lamaison had quit the Mt. SAC team after learning of Kevin taking the starting job.

“When Kevin came in I was learning the new offense and by not being the starter, I was discouraged,” Lamaison said. “I quit the team for a week reevaluating my life looking to focus on school and work, but Coach Craft called me and told me not to make any rash decisions.”

Lamaison said that Craft asked him to meet and talk about the situation.

“He told me to gray-shirt for a year and ‘if you don’t want to play after you gray-shirt then that’s your decision, but let’s see where it goes from there,’ and after that the rest was history,” Lamaison said.

And history it was for Lamaison after he led the Mounties all the way to the state championship in 2008 where the team unfortunately lost to Butte 17-9 on Dec. 13, 2008. Despite the loss and being bothered with injuries in the latter part of the season, Lamaison had completed more than 66.7 percent of his passes and threw more than 3,500 yards with 38 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

Under the guidance of Craft and Mounties head coach Robert Jastrab, Lamaison became first-team junior college All-American and was later sought to be a part of University of Tennessee football.

Lamaison recalls the conversation with Craft and how it changed his future.

“I have to thank him for believing in me and keeping me involved because without that decision to gray-shirt, I would be working at Pizza Hut right now,” Lamaison said.

Like his son Kevin, Tom preached the same game plan to Lamaison and nurtured him almost in a similar fashion as a coach normally would to a player.

“He’s [Craft] knowledgeable with a ton of experience and practically everything that he says that’s going to happen, or thinks is going to happen, pans out just the way it does,” Lamaison said. “He has a tremendous high football IQ.”

Jastrab said that Lamaison’s work ethic along with his accomplishments were a sign that the future would be bright for him.

“With what he’s done for us, I’m sure he’ll be successful on and off the field and that’s what I’m most proud of,” Jabstrab said. “By learning the system from being out an extra year, you gain confidence and knowledge, especially with Craft. When it’s your turn to shine, you become understanding of your role and how to be a leader.”

With his leadership and management qualities, everybody rallies around Lamaison and feeds off of him, Jastrab said.

Lamaison said that team camaraderie and unity is the one essential thing that he takes with him from Mt. SAC and brings it to Tennessee.

“I feel that the family unity is one of the most important aspects in any football team and I’ve taken it over to Tennessee and it really translates well there,” he said. “Not only are the players like that but the coaches are as well.”

With head coach Lane Kiffin and assistant head coach Ed Orgeron bringing a large amount of experience to the Volunteers, their past championship experiences at USC will be more than enriching for Lamaison and the team.

But with Lakewood High School’s Jesse Scroggins going to USC, Lamaison will still find work cut out for him for the starting quarterback position as last year’s Johnathan Crompton returns along with others fighting for the job.

“I was told that the quarterback position was an open job,” Lamaison said. “I know that with Crompton playing last year, he’ll get the upper hand but it’s basically an open competition, so whoever wants to separate themselves from the group and take the job, will take the job.”

With the season just around the corner, Lamaison said that the amount of football he’ll have to learn will be enriching for him.

“Not only is it a privilege to be with Coach Kiffin but it’s a privilege to be surrounded by a knowledgeable coaching staff,” Lamaison said. “You want to try to soak up all the information you can from these great football minds.”

Lamaison said that his focus is already set for the future.

“My mindset is learning the new offense, taking it day-by-day not getting ahead of myself,” he said. “Once I learn the system, then I can let my ability take over and my natural skill … if you don’t know the offense, you don’t know what you’re doing.”

Lamaison will enter Tennessee as a business major and will likely play three years for the team.

BLOG: Lamaison headed to Tennessee, Irvin returns to Mt. SAC

July 23, 2009

Nick Lamaison

Bruce Irvin

Photos by James Choy

—————————————-

I was at Mt. SAC today spending the afternoon watching football practice and according to several members of the coaching staff, I was informed that former Mt. SAC quarterback Nick Lamaison has completed his academics officially and is Tennessee bound.

From what I’ve known–since the beginning, Lamaison was committed to Tennessee all along but was not going to declare anything definite until he was officially completed at Mt. SAC.

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In other news, Bruce “BJ” Irvin returned to Mt. SAC after spending a certain amount of time back home in the south and has said he has been getting in shape and preparing for the upcoming season. Irvin and I spoke today at practice and from looking at his performance today on the field, physically he is in good shape. He still is looking to get a feel for the system that Mt. SAC has been working on throughout the summer and in time will get acclimated to the Mt. SAC game plan.

Since his spectacular showing at the Southern California combine workouts earlier this year, a couple of schools have taken an eye on Irvin and what he’s done thus far.

From my opinion, it looks like Irvin may be keeping his verbal commitment and likely going to the University of Tennessee after he finishes his season at Mt. SAC.

“When I went there to visit [Tennessee] the campus, the people there showed me a lot of love,” he said.

For more information on Mt. SAC football, log on to http://athletics.mtsac.edu.