The San Francisco 49ers are giving Jeremiah Masoli another chance, but not as a quarterback.
An undrafted rookie free agent, Masoli inked a deal with the 49ers, who plan to use the former Oregon and Ole Miss QB as a running back, according to the Modesto Bee on Wednesday.
“I’m anxious to show my versatility,” Masoli told the newspaper. “I really like coach (Jim) Harbaugh. We have a great relationship and we have some history in the Pac-10. I just thought it was a great fit for me.”
Harbaugh, who will enter his first year with the 49ers, coached at Stanford while Masoli played at Oregon. Masoli then transferred to Ole Miss for his senior year, which did not go as planned in the SEC.
The San Franciso native threw for 2,039 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and ran for 544 yards and six scores, but the Rebels finished 4-8 overall and won just one conference game in 2010.
For the Niners’ sake, hopefully Harbaugh has a better touch than Houston Nutt. Jeremiah Masoli profile
Masoli impressed Nighthawks coach Joe Moglia and general manager Rick Mueller at an all-star game in January.
“[Jeremiah] stood out to Joe and the entire staff at the Stars and Stripes all-star game," Mueller said. "He fits what we are doing and has a chance here to play the quarterback position.”
Masoli was at the center of a controversial transfer to Ole Miss after he was dismissed from Oregon in June 2010 following two run-ins with the police.
He first pleaded guilty to a second-degree burglary charge in March after an incident that included stolen laptops from a fraternity house in Eugene, Ore. In June, he was cited for driving with a suspended license and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Masoli transferred to Ole Miss in August 2010 and after being granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA in September he won the starting job over Nathan Stanley after the season-opening loss to Jacksonville State.
With the Rebels, Masoli orchestrated a very up-and-down season in Oxford, passing for 2,039 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 544 yards and six touchdowns during Ole Miss’ 4-8 season. In two seasons with Oregon (2008-09), Masoli threw for 3,891 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,386 yards and 23 touchdowns.
However, Masoli's future might not be with the Nighthawks. He's been working out with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and is a part of the Eskimos' negotiation list.
Regardless, it looks like Masoli has a couple of options for where he wants to play football this fall.
Omaha also drafted two other former SEC players.
With the No. 2 overall pick, Omaha took former Florida cornerback Reynaldo Hill. Hill played for the Tennessee Titans from 2005 to 2008, appearing in 48 games with 26 starts. Hill recorded six interceptions (including one returned 52 yards for a touchdown as a rookie), 11 pass breakups, and 126 total tackles.
“A guy our scouting staff has liked since he came out of Florida in 2005," Moglia said. "Solid cover corner that should come in and compete.”
The Nighthawks later took Kentucky running back Derrick Locke in the ninth round. Locke rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior year with the Wildcats. He also caught 34 passes for 318 yards.
“Derrick is an extremely explosive player at the running back position,” Mueller said. “He is an electric runner, an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and would be a great addition to our football team.”
