A prospect that will be on the rise this fall is Deaunte Mason. Mason, now 6-4 and a chiseled 218 pounds, plays quarterback for Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl-Cohn High School. He is coming off some good camp performances at Indiana, North Carolina and Tennessee.
“It was really nice to get to work with coach (David) Cutcliffe,” said Mason. “I mean that guy groomed Eli and Peyton (Manning). I have heard so much about him it was good to meet and work with him. Tennessee said they want to wait and see how I do this season. I grew up somewhat a Tennessee fan but not a real big fan of anyone. I just like watching college football.
“I went to North Carolina really ready to play because I had heard there was going to be a lot of top quarterbacks there. I felt like I had something to prove and I think I did really well. In fact, that’s where I threw the best and I know I impressed those coaches.
“I did well up at Indiana too. I think I just had a real good summer.”
According to his high school coach Marshall has offered while schools like UNC, Tennessee, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and others want to see how he does this season.
“Vandy and Ole Miss like me as an athlete but I want to play quarterback. I have good arm strength, I am mobile and I have good size (6-4, 218).
“Right now I would say that I am wide open. I like North Carolina, Louisville, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and others.
North Carolina is a great opportunity for me. My cousin is there (Rashad Mason) and he says he is really enjoying it so far. It’s just a different place for him. I have also heard all about coach (Butch) Davis. I have heard some great things.
”Louisville is a great program and it’s close to home and location may be important to me so my folks can see me play.
“Indiana has great coaches that are real down to earth but they can be serious too. I like that.
“Kentucky is a place where I would have a great opportunity to play because they lose their quarterback (Andre Woodson) to graduation.
“I like Tennessee and coach Cutcliffe. It’s close to home and it’s good opportunity with (Erik) Ainge leaving. They need another quarterback to take them to a championship.
“I am going to Alabama on Monday. I like their new staff. I like (Nick) Saban and I know they are looking for mobile quarterback. That’s me. I have not talked with coach (Major) Applewhite. I am looking forward to getting down there next week.”
Last season Mason threw for 1,900 yards, rushed for close to 900 yards and accounted for 33 touchdowns. With another big year his stock should rise through the roof this fall.