While Oregon football looks to move on from a rather tumultuous offseason with the start of spring practices on Tuesday, there was still a bit of news that trickled out of Eugene on Monday. According to The Oregonian, Jeremiah Masoli, the quarterback who was suspended for the 2010 season after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor burglary charge, will stay at the school, and in theory, could make a return to the field in 2011.
The options are limited for Masoli. He could transfer and play this fall, but he could not go to the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) level — he would have to drop down to Division II or Division III, and even then his eligibility would not be a certainty.
Masoli's NCAA eligibility clock runs out after the fall of 2011, so he can stay at Oregon and play in 2011 and in any subsequent bowl game.
It is unknown if Masoli will have any presence with the team this year (he could be allowed to practice with the scout team). Senior Nate Costa and sophomore Darron Thomas will compete for the starting QB job.