Scroggins says he'll announce July 25 : govolsxtra.com

Tennessee quarterback prospect Jesse Scroggins is set to announce his college destination on July 25 at the Elite 11 quarterback camp in Las Vegas.

The highly rated quarterback from Lakeland (Calif.) High School has long been considering UT, along with Southern California and Florida.

As comfortable as Scroggins has been with the Vols, he does have one concern.

“Just basically all the hoopla that’s going on — all the violations and stuff,” Scroggins said on Monday.

UT has self-reported a handful of secondary violations, none of which is expected to result in any serious action from the NCAA or the SEC.

“I think they’re coming through it,” Scroggins said. “I think they’re going to be pretty good this year.”

He said the timing of the announcement is based on many factors.

“It’s not too late but it’s not too early,” Scroggins said of his decision to announce later this month. “It’s the perfect time for me.”

Scroggins said he will analyze his decision and make his mind soon.

“I’m going to start getting into the pros and cons this week or next,” he said, declining to name a leader.

Scroggins said he also decided on July 25, in part, because of the television coverage that ESPN will provide. He hopes his commitment will help boost recruiting for whichever school he chooses.

The offer from USC came after he won a skills competition with a handful of other quarterback prospects at a Trojans’ camp earlier last month.

“It was very big just because it’s my home, right down the street,” Scroggins said. “Parents could some see me. Coaches and former teammates could come see.”

Scroggins reaffirmed that he has no qualms about coming across the country to play football, whether it’s for UT or Florida.

He is more willing to play in Florida’s spread-option offense than most would have predicted considering he has long said he wanted to play in a more pro-style offense.

“Most people don’t understand,” Scroggins said. “Florida has changed their offense around their quarterback. (Senior Gator quarterback Tim) Tebow is a running style of quarterback so they use that. With (former Gators quarterback) Chris Leak, they passed the ball and used more pro-style.”

The athletic Scroggins doesn’t run much in high school football but is thought to be a better runner than Leak yet not nearly as physical a runner as Tebow.

“I can run the ball but it’s not my forte,” Scroggins admitted.

Scroggins believes that UT and USC’s offense will be very similar.

Another factor: much of his family lives in the Memphis area.

“There are so many things to say about Tennessee, especially that it is my mom’s home state,” Scroggins said. “That’s what really helps.”