USC quarterback gets release; expected to transfer to UNLV

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, April 7, 1999 | 11 a.m.

As expected, redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Thomas asked for and has been granted a release from his USC football scholarship during a meeting Tuesday with Trojans head coach Paul Hackett and athletic director Mike Garrett.

That should clear the way for a likely transfer to UNLV, where the 6-5, 230-pound former prep All-American would be reunited with the man responsible for recruiting him to USC, John Robinson.

"They didn't actually sign anything," said Charles Thomas, Jason's brother, who attended the emotional meeting along with his mother, Lois. "We have to officially put the paperwork together and turn it in. We plan to do that (Wednesday). Hopefully we can get that taken care of in a quick and orderly fashion. They said it should only take a day to do it."

The school issued a press release late Tuesday afternoon detailing that the release had been granted.

Charles Thomas said the only criteria that Hackett and Garrett made in giving his brother the release was that Jason not attend a school scheduled to play USC in the next four years. UNLV and Nebraska, which came in a narrow second to the Trojans for Thomas' services out of Compton's Dominguez High School, both fit that criteria.

"This is a tough loss for USC because Jason is such a talent," Hackett said in the USC release. "But I want what's best for Jason and he feels this is what he has to do. ... he's a special player and I know he'll have success wherever he goes. We wish him the best."

Thomas, also a Division I basketball prospect, unofficially attended UNLV's first spring practice on March 20. He would have to sit out the 1999 season per NCAA transfer rules but still would have three years of eligibility remaining.