Football coach Steve Specht knew he had something special walking the halls of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. If only he could get the school's best athlete on the football field.
It seemed like Greg Scruggs, 6-foot-5 and 230, did everything else. He was a star basketball player and even played drums in the school marching band.
Even with such a diverse transcript, Scruggs needed something more - unless he wanted to be relegated to attending a Division II school on a partial basketball scholarship.
"I told him, 'Coach, I want to get college paid for to make things easier for my family,'" said Scruggs, who is being recruited by Tennessee.
So, it was done. Drumsticks were traded for barbells and football was priority No. 1.
"If God has blessed me with the ability to play at the next level, why not do it?" Scruggs said. "Why not help out my family?"
Scruggs has the ability. Playing at defensive end last season, Scruggs made 40 tackles, 51 quarterback pressures, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
With less than a full season of football under his belt, Scruggs received a dozen scholarship offers.
"Greg has potential to play on Sundays," Specht said, referring to the NFL.
Scruggs took his first official visit last weekend. The destination? Knoxville, where the Vols got the chance to make the first impression.
"The visit was great," Scruggs said. "I had a good time with all the players and the coaches."
Visits to North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Virginia and Michigan State are also scheduled.
Not bad for a prospect who, before this season, hadn't even donned shoulder pads since sixth grade.
"The improvement that he made was light years," Specht said. "And he still doesn't know what the hell he's doing. His upside is out of this world."
Specht is sure that Scruggs would be one of the top prospects in the nation had he played four seasons of high school football.
Adversely, college coaches can't help but wonder why Scruggs was so late to sign up for football.
Just how physical could Scruggs be?
Specht never worried that would be a problem, especially after watching the banger he saw on the basketball court with an aggressive attitude that easily transferred to the gridiron.
"He'll hit you," Specht said. "He'll really smack you."
Who knows what position Scruggs might play in college. Defensive end and/or defensive tackle seem most likely, but tight end has also been discussed.
Before that decision is made, Scruggs will have to make his college decision.
He said he'll cut down his five choices to three by January.
The Vols seem to be in good shape.
"Right now," Scruggs said, "I'd say Tennessee has as good a chance as any other school."
Even having such an option is a long way from marching in the band beating on the drums.
"It's pretty overwhelming for him right now," Specht said. "He hasn't had a couple of years to think about it like my other Division I prospects."
McCray's the Man: UT is putting the hard press on Lerentee McCray.
The Vols sent three coaches - Trooper Taylor, Kurt Roper and Matt Luke - to Dunnellon (Fla.) High School on Tuesday to visit with the 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker.
McCray took an official visit to Knoxville last weekend, then decommitted to Miami shortly after his return to Florida.
McCray is still considering Florida, Florida State, LSU, South Carolina and West Virginia.
He is no longer considering the Hurricanes, according to Dunnellon head coach Frank Beasley.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 18
BigOrangeJeeper writes:
if we could get both of theses guys it would be huge because right now we are sort of trailing in the recruiting game.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Went to K-town, went back, decommitted to Miami. That sounds like the way to do it!!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Are we ever going to recruit some defensive tackles which is a primary need? Maybe this guy eventually grows into one, but at 230 lb., he's got alot of eating to do.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Sounds like a nice book-end to Martin. Now let's get some DTs.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
You know, would be nice for writers to talk about academics every once and a while and how well a player is achieving. It sounds to me like Scruggs has dicipline and character which is what makes a man (more less a player). Would be very interested in seeing how well he has performed in the classroom, because that would give glimpses to his work ethic and dedication to the things he does. If he plays basketball, football and plays in the band...that says a lot about character. Sure hope he greatly considers the Vols, he would make a find addition.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Academics don't sell papers or on-line ad space. The section is football recruiting, not academics. I still don't disagree....
Coach_Joe writes:
Come on marc_ash! Do people really care how these young men do in the classroom? I mean, we're not Vanderbilt.
I have met several players from The Hill in the past, and yes, there are SOME smart players over there who do well in the classroom. More times than not though half of them would do good to spell more than their names correctly. I can name quite a few, but I won't as it would probably just start an arguement. I'll just say that one of those well known names is playing in Miami.
I would love to know that these young men had the brains to acheive in the classroom. When you look at what each players major is and you see stuff like Crimianal Justice then you know that young man has to have some brains. Just showing up for class isn't going to get you a 3.0 to 4.0 GPA.
It's when you see Sports Management or some cultural studies that you know where they stand.
TommyJack writes:
He play the tooba?
TommyJack writes:
Coach_Joe: That's a ridiculous indictment of certain majors. Very narrow minded, pal.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Coach_Joe, first off if you are in fact a coach I hope YOU "care how your young men do in the classroom". Secondly, yes I do care how these young men do in the classroom. People that do well in the classroom reflect individuals that are committed to excellence. If you can pull honor roll, hold down a part time job and be a star on a sports team then that shows success.
Or, I suppose we could look at players that miss counseling sessions, fail drug tests and get in fights on the strip. Course, I'm sure they were all excelling in the classroom too right?
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Lets also remember that they are STUDENT Athletes. They are students before athletes.
coachjoe:
"I have met several players from The Hill in the past, and yes, there are SOME smart players over there who do well in the classroom. More times than not though half of them would do good to spell more than their names correctly. I can name quite a few, but I won't as it would probably just start an arguement."
Then you would really think you WOULD care about academics if you feel this way.
arkyvol writes:
coach joe:
what was your degeee in?
Coach_Joe writes:
I never said I didn't care about their academics.
Tommyjack, forgive me for spelling criminal wrong. One little spelling mistake and you want to call names. Do you really want to be childish and go down that road?
You're right marc_ash. They are student athletes. Do you honestly think the majority of these young men come here for the education though?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
eb502us-I too sound the alarm for d-line players, but they seem to be lost in the shuffle. There is one reason for this record setting defense. Talent or the lack there of.
Everyone is worried about dink and dunk. I'm tired of Berry to be the first one to put his hands on the Hesters and MacFaddens of the football world 7-9 yards downfield. Oh well, what do we know. Go Vols.
IPOrange writes:
Hey dash727, you didn't even mention "arguement" and "acheive".
vol4jesus writes:
i before e except after c. The beat goes on......
IPOrange writes:
"i before e except after c, and e before n in chicken." - Sheriff Andy Taylor
"Oh, yeah, I always forget that rule." - Barney Fife
jim_bell#606576 writes:
i before e not always true?
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