Nick Montana was granted his scholarship release by the University of Washington and wil transfer. / Drew Sellers, Sportspress Northwest

Freshman backup quarterback Nick Montana was granted his release by the University of Washington football program Monday afternoon.  According to a blog post in the Los Angeles Times, he’s expected to transfer to a junior college in Texas, which would allow him to play immediately.

UW officials had denied rumors of Montana quitting the program, but the big season by incumbent sophomore quarterback Keith Price made it clear Montana would be playing only if Price were injured, as was the case the past season.

The 6-3, 205-pounder, son of NFL great Joe Montana, played in six games, and started against Oregon State. He completed 24 of 42 passes for 226 yards with two interceptions and three touchdowns, two against Oregon State, with a QB efficiency rating of 116.4. In his hometown of Los Angeles against USC, Montana completed 9 of 15 passes for 73 yards and his first career TD.

The other quarterback on the UW roster is freshman Derrick Brown, a 6-3, 236-pounder from Winchester, Calif.  who did not play the past season.

News of Montana’s departure came on the same day that offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier was reported to have accepted the OC job with the University of Alabama.

Washington has oral commitments for the class of 2012 from two premier high school quarterback prospects, Mercer Island’s Jeff Lindquist and Cyler Miles of Denver.

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4 Comments

  1. Nussmeier leaves, Montana quits, Lupoi signs on.  Just another day at the office for UW FB team.

  2. Nussmeier leaves, Montana quits, Lupoi signs on.  Just another day at the office for UW FB team.

  3. No guarantee that Montana wouldn’t get a chance to take over.  Price played hurt a lot after the season he had a drop off can almost be expected.  Jake Heaps had one.  Considering Montana’s brother also transferred from Notre Dame makes me wonder if his dad suggested this course.  IMO, he should have at least stuck it out for one more season.  Sark more than had his back.

    Hope things work out for Nick.

  4. No guarantee that Montana wouldn’t get a chance to take over.  Price played hurt a lot after the season he had a drop off can almost be expected.  Jake Heaps had one.  Considering Montana’s brother also transferred from Notre Dame makes me wonder if his dad suggested this course.  IMO, he should have at least stuck it out for one more season.  Sark more than had his back.

    Hope things work out for Nick.