QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee
Nick Montana is considering UGA among his dozen offers. His father, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, accompanied Nick. (Jay Christensen/WizOfOdds)
UPDATE: Montana reflects on UGA visit
Nick Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, says he is serious about Georgia. He told the AJC he wouldn’t be flying halfway across the country if he wasn’t.
The 6-foot-2, 177-pound Montana is one of the nation’s top college prospects and plays football at California’s Oaks Christian High. Montana and his legendary father toured the campuses of Alabama and Georgia this weekend.
He has a dozen scholarship offers, including South Carolina, Stanford, LSU, Ohio State, Florida State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Alabama, and Arizona. He also has serious interest from Tennessee, Southern Cal, and Oklahoma, among others.
Montana spoke with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the recruiting process:
Q. How was your visit to Alabama? A. It went really well. We had a day full of meetings. They talked a lot about academics, and we got to look around campus and see the dorms. We met with Nick Saban twice and got a lot of questions answered. He’s a great guy, and we enjoyed talking with him.
Q. What do you like about Georgia? A. They have great coaches. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Georgia’s academics and business school. I’m looking forward to learning more about the business school, and watching Georgia play on TV next year.
Q. What appeals to you about Georgia football? A. Their style of offense. Matthew Stafford played at Georgia, and he has got a great chance to be one of the first players taken in the NFL draft. If Georgia is turning out first-round draft picks like that at quarterback, then I think anyone would take a close look at Georgia. They just put a lot of guys in the league. I also like that Georgia wins. They were ranked No. 1 at one point last year.
Q. What do you know about Georgia coach Mark Richt? A. He’s a great coach, and has done great things with the program. I heard from one of my high school coaches that he is really strong with his spiritual beliefs. I think that’s great. He’s a positive influence on his players. I was raised Catholic, so [spiritual matters] are a plus. However, while it’s important on [a personal level], it’s not going to be a big influence on my college decision.
Q. How did Georgia get involved with you in the first place? A. They sent me a scholarship offer out of the blue. I didn’t really know about Georgia. Once they offered, I started looking into Georgia more. I liked what I learned about them. My family decided after doing the research that we wanted to take a trip and check out Georgia, along with Alabama.
Q. Your QB coach in high school is former Tennessee QB Casey Clausen. What’s the latest with Tennessee? A. Tennessee hasn’t offered, but I’m still thinking about them. I haven’t really heard from them in a while. We send emails back and forth every once in a while, but I haven’t talked to them on the phone in more than a month. I couldn’t tell you what’s really going on. I don’t know. All I can say is that I’m really concentrating on schools that have offered me, like Georgia, Alabama and some others.
Q. Southern Cal is another school that many are waiting to see if they will offer you. What’s the latest with USC? A. Yes, they haven’t offered yet. They’re telling me to keep in touch. They said they haven’t offered any quarterbacks. They are trying to take one quarterback [for 2010], but they want to make sure it’s the right one.
Q, How serious are you about leaving your home state of California to play college football? A. All these schools I’m taking trips to, I’m very serious about. I’m completely wide open. My parents and I are trying to get to all these schools and campuses to figure out which one would be the perfect fit for me. I don’t know as much about the colleges outside of California, that’s why I’m taking these trips to find out which school is the best for me. Going away from home for college doesn’t really bother me. I think it would be exciting to see another part of the country.
Q. What’s your timetable with your college decision? A. I’m not waiting on any particular schools. I’m happy with the offers I have. When I find the school that’s right for me, then I’m done with recruiting. I’m done.
Note: Montana is one of three celebrity sons that play at California’s Oaks Christian High, along with the offspring of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and Hollywood actor Will Smith. [Click here for more on that]
Can’t get enough recruiting? Click here to follow AJC Recruiting Expert Michael Carvell on Twitter
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74 comments Add your comment
Ask the leadership coach » QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and …
March 27th, 2009
9:48 pm
[...] Jesse Carey posted a noteworthy aricle today onHere’s a small snippetThe 6-foot-2, 177-pound Montana is one of the nation’s top college prospects and plays football at California’s Oaks Christian High. Montana and his legendary father toured the campuses of Alabama and Georgia this weekend. He has a dozen scholarship offers, … A. They have great coaches. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Georgia’s academics and business school. I’m looking forward to learning more about the business school, and watching Georgia play on TV next year. … [...]
Fred
March 27th, 2009
10:09 pm
Would be nice for UGA to get him, and the new basketball coach’s first priority should be signing Michael Jordan’s son. Would be pretty sweet to have a football game with Jordan and Joe Cool in attendance.
'10 CA QB Nick Montana (Official Offer) - Page 21 - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums
March 27th, 2009
10:18 pm
[...] in the league. I also like that Georgia wins. They were ranked No. 1 at one point last year. QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Mi… __________________ Anonymous [...]
Cuz
March 27th, 2009
10:30 pm
Sounds like a typical high school kid to me.
SugarHillDawg
March 27th, 2009
10:32 pm
6-2 and 177? Damn Joe, feed that boy!!!!!!
OJ
March 27th, 2009
10:39 pm
Hmm, let’s see, yes UGA was ranked #1 at one point. What’s happened to that?
If he is smart, he’ll stay away from redneck UGA and go with USC.
D-Mac
March 27th, 2009
10:43 pm
Cuz, this is not a typical high school kid. His communication skills are excellent. Have you read athlete inteviews, even atheletes in their senior year of college? I just hope his football skillz are in line with his speaking abilities; and I hope he brings those skillz to UGA!
JD
March 27th, 2009
11:32 pm
Hey, this article doesn’t say anything about him visiting Tech while he was here. Oh, that’s right, Tech sucks.
Joe Montana's boy "serious" about UGA - SECTalk Forums
March 28th, 2009
1:07 am
[...] Montana’s boy "serious" about UGA QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Mi… Nick Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, says he is serious about Georgia. He told the [...]
NO WAY UGAY MONTANA
March 28th, 2009
2:06 am
YOUR BETTER OFF ON THE WEST COAST THAN WITH UGAY,RIDE WITH THE REAL U.S.CALI.
UnderDog
March 28th, 2009
8:34 am
What’s this guy done to warrant such auspicious press, other than be born to an ex-NFL QB……and be born with a silver spoon in his mouth? From what I read, he ain’t all that.
QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Michael Carvell | MrSEC.com
March 28th, 2009
9:20 am
[...] QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Mi… [...]
KYBulldog
March 28th, 2009
9:31 am
It is pretty unbelievable that psychiatrists are asking Stafford about his parent’s divorce. Perhaps they should ask if he carries a gun or plans to raise pit bulls or run over pedestrians.
'ol sport
March 28th, 2009
9:43 am
KYBulldog,
You are absolutely right! I thought it pretty shallow of Mike Singletary to make the comment he did. Divorce is not an easy thing for any young person. Sincletary only showed his animal instincts and kick-a$$ mentality that some players have. Their parents failed them too.
Larry
March 28th, 2009
9:45 am
Refreshing! Quarterbacks winning NCAA and NFL Championships have to be smart and articulate. Don’t see too many sporting corn rows, tattoos, earrings and trying to read defenses with a double-digit IQ do you?
These guys, like Michael Vick and Jamarcus Russel, can prosper in the NBA, or an NFL corner back, but you need brains to operate an 11 man offense at Georgia, Southern Cal, or the NFL! Note the 2 quarterbacks that played in the BCS championship game this past season. Smart and brought up by good parents that teach them you don’t need to pierce yours ear, boys, to have self esteem–you create self esteem through esteemed acts!
Paddy
March 28th, 2009
9:52 am
The 49 ers said Stafford was not welcome and would not fit based on a real poor question. I believe it is the other way around. Stafford wants no part of any organization that blasts him for protecting his privacy. I hope they lose every game.
boots
March 28th, 2009
10:07 am
“Alabama talked a lot about academics.” Uh…. That must have been a pretty short conversation.
UGA man
March 28th, 2009
10:13 am
His daddy went to Notre Dame, which runs a clean program, UGA isnt his style–Jan Kemp, 2 probations under Dooley–forget this one.
Cuz
March 28th, 2009
10:21 am
Hey pretend fan UGA man. Refresh my memory. When was Dooley a head coach at UGA? Twenty years ago you moron. Before the kid was born. I don’t think Jan Kemp will have anything to do with wear he attends college.
Cuz
March 28th, 2009
10:21 am
where not wear
Joe Schmoe
March 28th, 2009
10:25 am
You can book it that this kid will not be at UGA. He will be USC Trojan! I didnt know they went that deep on the psychology exams with players. Thats pretty deep.
Larry
March 28th, 2009
10:30 am
UGA man,
No way he goes to Notre Dame! First, they’re no longer an elite program. Second, He doesn’t want to be compared to his father’s success and trying to do so at what is now a 2nd tier program. Third, this kid was raised by smart, healthy parents. He will not be attracted to playing for the obese Charlie Weiss who has such little self control he has to have his gut cut open and his stomach cut down to half its normal size to keep him from eating too many cheese burgers.
Montana will end up at a school with healthy looking coach and pro type offense which is why Southern Call and Georgia will be considered.
STUCK IN SC
March 28th, 2009
10:45 am
TECH SUCKS!
STUCK IN SC
March 28th, 2009
10:46 am
Oh did I mention TECH SUCKS!
Is He Satan?
March 28th, 2009
11:06 am
Oh, so you were impressed with Satan Sabin. Did he tell you about his high ethics like not telling ballfaced lies to dozens of players and a half dozen football programs?
mcdawg
March 28th, 2009
11:14 am
UGA-Redneck vs. USC-South Central/Watts–i think i’ll take redneck
Kunta Plenty
March 28th, 2009
11:23 am
Y’all UGA jock-sniffers make me laugh.
The fact of the matter is this: the 49ers have every right to ask Matt Stafford about his personal life.
Every professional sports league is full of stories of athletes who were ill-prepared mentally and emotionally for big paydays.
Thus, when a team is thinking about drafting a player in the first round – and giving him a multi-million dollar contract – they have every right to find out if he has both oars in the water.
The fact that Stafford wasn’t mature enough to give a reasoned and thoughtful response shows what a wuss he really is.
Of course, Bama and the Gators already knew that.
Mitch Cumstein
March 28th, 2009
11:25 am
It’d be great to have him in Athens, but really, how many QBs do we need. I think o-line and db’s are the first priority seeing that qbs are assured for the next 3 or 4 years.
Mitch Cumstein
March 28th, 2009
11:31 am
Kunta Plenty crack sniffing North Avenue geek, you’re actually right. With the investment any team makes in this day and age, it would definately behoove any organization to make sure their employees are sound. With that said, if Stafford can’t roll with the punches, perhaps he belongs in Detroit. I’m not saying divorce situations are easy, but move on with life.
JoeVisitsTheSouth
March 28th, 2009
11:39 am
Leave it to the AJC to do a story on Nick Montana only to caption the story with a pick of Joe Montana. Would it have been too difficult to locate a file photo of the 6′2” 177 pound Nick? Lord knows we saw enough of Aaron Murray’s mug in the AJC….although in that case the AJC should have shown us more pics of his Mommy.
Bill in Sandy Springs
March 28th, 2009
11:48 am
If San Francisco has an opportunity to draft Stafford and their sole reason for not drafting him is that he didn’t want to talk about his parents divorce, then they are idiots.
GeoffDawg
March 28th, 2009
11:54 am
Kunta Plenty – does douchebaggery come natural or do you work at it? Even if an organization has a vested interest in the emotional stability of a prospect, where in the hell do they get the right to broadcast their opinions on it publicly? That is a real bitch@ss move on their part.
CollegeGameBalls: College Football at its Finest | Nick Montana is Leaning Toward Georgia
March 28th, 2009
11:56 am
[...] Q. What appeals to you about Georgia football? A. Their style of offense. Matthew Stafford played at Georgia, and he has got a great chance to be one of the first players taken in the NFL draft. If Georgia is turning out first-round draft picks like that at quarterback, then I think anyone would take a close look at Georgia. They just put a lot of guys in the league. I also like that Georgia wins. They were ranked No. 1 at one point last year. (AJC.com) [...]
Weekend Report- Georgia finds a kicker but loses a Defensive End « Football on the Brain
March 28th, 2009
12:01 pm
[...] Nick Montana, son of 49er legend Joe Montana, is visiting Georgia this weekend. He talked to the AJC’s Michael Carvell about what he is looking for in a [...]
Bo Williams
March 28th, 2009
12:14 pm
While a grad student at UNC in the early 70’s, I went to the UNC-ND game. UNC had them 10 points in the fourth quarter. I believe Terry Hanratty was their QB, until they substituted in the 4th with what turned out to be Joe Montanna, who threw two late game TD’s to squeak it out for the Irish. Broke my heart. That was his coming out.
Ty Webb
March 28th, 2009
12:17 pm
I’ve got a little secret for you.
notre dame
Cuz
March 28th, 2009
12:50 pm
It may not be UGA but I can tell it won’t be Notre Dame. The only way that will happen is if they fire Weiss and somehow convince the Urban Legend to head North and be the next Ka-nute Rockne. Why he would leave Gainesville for South Bend would only be for ego. I mean co-eds, weather, co-eds, golf, co-eds, get the picture.
Sven Ottke
March 28th, 2009
12:51 pm
“I’ve heard alot of great things about Georgia’s academics….” Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. What a good joke. Seriously, I’m crying over here I’m laughing so hard. Great things about Georgia’s academics. Woo, hoo, oh, that is good one. Must get air, must get air. Oh my side hurts. I am laughing and I can’t stop. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
LSU fan
March 28th, 2009
1:06 pm
Sven, you want a real laugh? 38-3 on national TV in the Chicken Bowl
Huh?
March 28th, 2009
1:08 pm
I think the kid is a little undersized for the SEC but what the heck. Its Joe freaking Montana’s son. I’d take him if for no other reason than the publicity. This kind of thing makes haters like Sven cry like 5 year old girls. “Wawawawawawawa…Nick Montana likes UGA and not my crap pile mediocre football program that makes rings for 9-4 seasons. Where’s my mommy?” Absolutely pathetic. Tech fans are a total disgrace to themselves and everyone they represent. Thanks.
GeoffDawg
March 28th, 2009
1:46 pm
Huh? – while I applaud your sentiments, I think you owe an apology to crap piles everywhere.
Ted Striker
March 28th, 2009
2:00 pm
Kunta Plenty — Your village is missing you.
Sven Ottke
March 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
Hey Huh, are you referring to that crap pile, mediocre football program that embarrassed UGa on national TV by ripping off over 400 yards of rushing and humiliating your defense 45-42? That one? Trust me, you can own the market on 6′2″, 177 lb QB’s. Heck your future 1st round draft pick, supposed All World QB couldn’t even win you an SEC East title this year. What a joke.
Sven Ottke
March 28th, 2009
2:17 pm
Hey Huh, are you referring to that carp pile, mediocre football program that rung up over 400 yards of rushing and embbarrassed your defense on national tv 45-42? That one? You can corner the market on 6′2″, 177 lb QB’s. Your future 1st round draft pick, All World QB couldn’t even win an SEC East title this year. What a joke!
Cuz
March 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
That would be last year Sven, it is 2009 this year.
Cuz
March 28th, 2009
2:23 pm
I guess if you throw fish at Notre Dame during games you could be considered a carp pile.
SamoanDawg
March 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
CooL.. hope he signs.
The Red and Black
March 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
[...] QB Nick Montana, the son of NFL legend Joe Montana, visited Georgia over the weekend, and tells the AJC’s Michael Carvell about the trip and his other offers (he’s got about a [...]
GeoffDawg
March 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
I had no idea Swedes were such an angry people.
Al
March 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
Montana should go to USC. Whatever Daddy doesn’t get him, the coaches and boosters at SC will.
Bill in Sandy Springs
March 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
If this kid wants to go to SC, Georgia, or Alabama, he will have to redshirt almost guaranteed. You would think Tennessee would be more interested in this kid given their situation at QB. He would have the best chance to play right away in Knoxville.
smoke
March 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
The other schools look out Tennessee’s Kifen will have him in Knoxville
SamoanDawg
March 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
He’ll redshirt for sure if he signs with GA. It’ll be a major competition with Murray and Mettenberger.
'10 CA QB Nick Montana - Page 12 - VolNation
March 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
[...] have offered me, like Georgia, Alabama and some others. New article / interview on AJC.com. QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Mi… __________________ Everyone’s perception of reality is [...]
QB Nick Montana says that UGA is “up there” among college choices | AJC College Sports Recruiting
March 29th, 2009
12:35 am
[...] [Update: Click here as Joe Montana's son talks about Alabama, Southern Cal, Tennessee and UGA] [...]
The Sunday Times | GeorgiaBulldog.com - Georgia Bulldogs News, Discussion, Schedules & More
March 29th, 2009
7:08 am
[...] Montana, son of NFL legend Joe Montana, told the AJC he is serious about playing the for the Dawgs. There are lots of reasons but he really likes the Georgia’s style of offense and it [...]
Jason
March 29th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey Larry are you late for a Klan meeting?
'10 CA QB Nick Montana - Page 13 - VolNation
March 29th, 2009
2:14 pm
[...] Posted by volmanbill New article / interview on AJC.com. QB Nick Montana talks about UGA, Alabama, Southern Cal and Tennessee | Inside College Recruiting: Mi… “Montana said he and his legendary father met with Georgia coach Mark Richt for around 30 [...]
The General Feeling
March 30th, 2009
9:18 am
He is a prime candidate to get Joe Cox’d at UGA. But at least he got to see what a football factory looks like. Good for him.
Otto
March 30th, 2009
9:42 am
All this talk of MOntana redhsirting at UGA. Stafford came in as a top recruit with another Elite 11 QB ahead of him and was not redshirted. If the kid can play he will get a chance and if he starts in Athens early then chances are even greater.
ND is not in discussions and UT is really either, says something about the coaches staff. IMO this kid goes to Duke before ND or UT.
paul kloster
March 30th, 2009
10:14 am
Enter your comments here
DawgsOnline » On the radar
March 30th, 2009
12:27 pm
[...] (yes, Joe’s his father) paid a visit to Alabama and Georgia last week, and the AJC’s Michael Carvell had a chance to discuss the visits with Nick. When asked what he found appealing about Georgia, Montana [...]
globeflyer
March 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
I suspect that The Fighting Irish have a ways to go before Joe’s son would commit there. Charlie Weiss has other things to worry about (winning with the players already there) at the moment. If ND doesn’t make some big moves this year, where Montana signs will be a moot point for Charlie. He’s coaching “on borrowed time”.
Smyrna Man
March 30th, 2009
4:40 pm
Hey Otto… What does “says something about the coaching staff” mean exactly? Their are better QBs out there like Jake Heaps and Blake Bell, Simms, Scroggins, and Green that UT are going after.
Reality Check....
March 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
Sven Ottke still needs a reality check….
BS Patrol
March 30th, 2009
10:26 pm
The fact is he would never get an offer from Tech. Too delicate.
Steve Naismith
March 31st, 2009
12:20 am
California to Georgia is “halfway across the country?” Someone needs to take a geography course.
HOUNDDOG
April 1st, 2009
5:44 am
HAVING THE MONTANA NAME WILL NOT MAKE HIM ANY BETTER,YOU HAVE TO PROVE YOURSELF ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.
Nick Montana gets scholarship offer from Nebraska - Nebraska Cornhuskers Football | HUSKERS GAMEDAY
April 1st, 2009
11:46 am
[...] Montana, son of NFL Legend Joe Montana, has received an offical offer to join the 2010 Recruiting Class at the University of [...]
DawgsRUs
April 4th, 2009
11:36 am
Hey Steve, that was funny regardless of who you are a fan of.
tide1
April 10th, 2009
10:45 am
He sounds like a well spoken young man. Can’t help but notice that he never said “I” but always said “we” when discussing what he liked and didn’t like. I’m sure Papa Joe will have A LOT OF SAY on where he goes to school.
Draft day ‘a commercial’ (again) for USC’s recruiting machine | Boobs and More
April 27th, 2009
6:37 pm
[...] in the spring game at one of the top schools on Nick’s list: USC. Maybe Pete Carroll will even get around to offering him a scholarship like every other major school in the country, but we’ll [...]
RexZeitgeist
June 6th, 2009
8:11 pm
Nick is coiming to the University of Washington, Heaps blew it.
Things alwasy work out for the best and Montana was born to be a Husky.
pamlilsis
January 2nd, 2010
1:26 pm
montana’s son may have been lucky enough to be born a montana, and have a silver spoon in his mouth, but you have to look at it this way, he may also may have been lucky enough to have been born with that great arm that his father has. i for one am not going to let his career take off “GOOD OR BAD” without keeping up with him. i didn’t get into montana’s career until he was almost thru and i wont miss out on the second generation!