Sleeper QB picks up Kentucky offer

Last season, late in the recruiting process, a sleeper emerged out of Nashville's Pearl-Cohn High School. Rashad Mason, a 6-foot-6 wide receiver, went from relative obscurity to a Rivals250 member and a North Carolina commitment. This season, his cousin, Deaunte Mason is looking to make a similar splash, and the University of Kentucky is one of the first schools to take notice.

Mason visited Kentucky this weekend for the Wildcats' big win against LSU. On the ride up the dual-threat quarterback got some good news.

"I was just riding up to Kentucky and I had forgotten that my mother gave me some mail," Mason said. "I don't know what made me decide to open it but I did and it was an offer from Kentucky."

Mason is athletic enough to play a number of positions, but his heart is set on playing quarterback at the next level. While many schools are looking at Mason strictly as an athlete, Kentucky's offer was for him to come in as a quarterback.

"It's good that they offered me as a quarterback," he said. "That's what I wanted. I know I can play quarterback at the next level."

While Mason listed Kentucky as one of his favorites even before his visit and his offer, the weekend only helped the Wildcats chances.

"It was a good trip," he said. "I didn't know it was that much of a football school. The fans after the game were crazy. I talked to Andre Woodson after the game and he said I need to go on and commit so I can come up here and keep the tradition going. He was cool."

Mason's coach Tony Brunetti accompanied Mason along with his teammate William Johnson. Coach Brunetti left impressed as well.

"It was a big surprise," Brunetti said. "He didn't realize they had such a good fan base. The facilities were great and academic-wise that was a big plus. The tutoring plaza they have is very nice."

Mason is a big quarterback at 6-4, 215 pounds. He has a good arm but is dangerous with his legs. With his athleticism and on-field demeanor, Brunetti sees Kentucky as a situation for Mason to be successful.

"Randy Sanders coaches the quarterbacks and he does a great job," Brunetti said. "Under coach Brooks and coach Sanders he can really develop. He's a strong kid and he'd really blossom in that system."

Mason has started at quarterback for his high school since his freshman year and continues to show major strides in his development. Just like his cousin a year ago, Mason continues to put up performances that can't be ignored during his senior season and is beginning to get some notice that is well past due.