Da'Rel Scott
Encyclopedia
Da'Rel Scott is an American football
running back
for the New York Giants
of the National Football League
. He was the starting
running back
for the Maryland Terrapins
at the University of Maryland
. During the 2008 season
, he was the second-leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference
, behind Jonathan Dwyer
of Georgia Tech
.
Scott played interscholastic football
as a running back
and free safety at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
. He was moderately recruited, but Scout.com
thought he was more suited to the position of wide receiver
or cornerback
at the intercollegiate level
. In 2006
, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, where he was moved to wide receiver, but he spent the entire season on redshirt
status. The following season
, he saw limited action as a reserve running back behind starters Lance Ball
and Keon Lattimore
. He also played on special teams as a kickoff returner, which was the coaching staff's attempt to get him on the field in some capacity because of his speed.
In 2008
, Scott took over as Maryland's starting running back and spent much of the season as the leading rusher
in the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC). He was eventually surpassed by Dwyer, although both players were named to the All-ACC first team at the season's end. Scott also became the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
most valuable player when he broke the University of Maryland bowl game rushing record, and he finished the season with 1,133 rushing yards, the seventh Terrapin player to surpass a thousand yards in a single season.
to Gloria and Lee Scott, Sr. He has two older brothers, Lee Scott, Jr., who played football as a defensive back
at La Salle
, and James, who ran track at Saint Joseph's
. When Da'Rel Scott was eight years old, his parents had a falling out, which prompted his father to leave the family. Thereafter, Lee Scott, Sr. was no longer involved in raising his sons and would often miss scheduled visits. Da'Rel Scott said, "He just kept letting me down. Just day by day, I was thinking, 'I need a father figure in my life.'" In high school, his attitude changed, and he said, "I don't need him." Despite the absence of his biological father, Scott grew up with the support of his mother, two brothers, cousin, youth football coach, and high school athletic director.
He attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
, where he was a four-year letterwinner in football
, track
, and basketball. In track during his junior year, he won the state championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.56 seconds. In football, Scott was a three-year starter
and played as both a tailback
and free safety. During his senior year, he rushed for 2,523 yards and 38 touchdowns on 232 attempts. As both a junior and senior, he received the Maxwell Award for the conference player of the year. As a senior, The Times Herald named him the area player of the year, the Associated Press
named him an all-state player, and he was invited to the Big 33 Football Classic
all-star game. SuperPrep named him an all-region player. Rivals.com
rated him a four-star prospect and assessed him as the 21st-ranked "athlete" recruit in the nation. Scout.com assessed him as a three-star prospect, and wrote of him, "This kid can flat out fly. He runs a sub-11.5 100 meters, and a sub-22.0 200 meters. Scott needs to get physically bigger to be a college running back; he may project better as a wide receiver
or cornerback
." Scott received scholarship offers
from Georgia Tech
, Penn State
, Virginia
, and his ultimate choice, Maryland
. In 2006, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, where he studied kinesiology
.
as a redshirt
. After summer training camp, the coaching staff moved Scott to wide receiver
, a position that lacked depth
, but head coach Ralph Friedgen
said that Scott had some difficulty making the adjustment. He was, however, named the offensive scout team
player of the week for his performance in the practices before the Florida State
game.
, he played in nine games as a reserve tailback behind Lance Ball
and Keon Lattimore
and as a kickoff returner. Despite the team's abundance of running backs, Friedgen wanted to utilize Scott in some capacity because of his speed, which had been recorded at 4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
said, "On paper it says I'm faster, but Da'Rel, he's just a different type of animal." Against Wake Forest
, he saw his first action when he returned four kickoffs
for 101 yards. Scott's special teams performance in that game sufficiently impressed head coach Friedgen that he said, "I think I've got to try to get him involved within the offense. I think he's a guy that can make some plays for us." The following week, unranked Maryland upset 10th-ranked Rutgers
, and Scott made his first career appearance as a tailback. He had three carries
for 29 yards. After sitting out the Georgia Tech
game because of an ankle injury, he returned four kicks for 68 yards against Virginia
, three for 56 yards against Clemson
, and two for 40 yards against North Carolina
. Against eighth-ranked Boston College, Scott caught a short screen pass
from quarterback Chris Turner
and ran 57 yards for a touchdown
. It was his first career reception
and first career touchdown. It was one of just two offensive plays for Scott in that game, and incidentally, he was not intended to be in it. Friedgen said:
In the loss to Florida State
, Scott rush
ed twice for 17 yards and returned four kickoffs for 132 yards. On one return, Scott gained 60 yards and nearly broke away for a touchdown, but Maryland was unable to capitalize on the gain during the subsequent possession. The next week, Maryland secured bowl eligibility by winning its regular season finale against NC State
. Scott returned the opening kickoff 36 yards and recorded 89 yards on eight carries to lead the team in rushing. In the 2007 Emerald Bowl
against Oregon State
, Scott had one carry for no gain and returned two kickoffs for 36 yards. Scott finished the season as the team's all-purpose yardage leader with 84.2 yards per game and kick return leader with 566 yards, which set a school record for a freshman. Rivals.com
named him a freshman All-ACC all-purpose player.
for the starting
position. At the conclusion of spring practice, it appeared they would share the duties, as they had complementary running styles: Scott had breakaway speed, while Green was a hard runner for short-yardage gains. However, Green suffered a quadriceps injury that caused him to fall to the third-string position behind true freshman Davin Meggett
.
During the season, Scott played in 12 of 13 games, including 11 starts, and recorded 1,133 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. In the first game of the 2008 season
against Delaware
, Scott ran for 197 yards in his first career start, which was enough to place sixteenth on the list for school all-time single-game rushing. The following week, underdog Middle Tennessee
stunned Maryland, 24–14, but Scott set the game-high for rushing with 123 yards. He tallied his career-first rushing touchdown with a 63-yard run on the second play of the game. Scott "dominated early" against 23rd-ranked California
with 19 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, but in the third quarter, he suffered a game-ending shoulder injury. His first-half effort helped Maryland take a quick lead and eventually upset California, 35–27. Scott sat out the next game against Eastern Michigan
, but returned for the road game at 20th-ranked Clemson
. Scott made 23 carries but gained only 39 yards, a mark that was surpassed by receiver Heyward-Bey on one reverse
that gained 76 yards to spark a second-half comeback. Head coach Friedgen said:
Scott tallied the go-ahead touchdown to complete Maryland's comeback, 20–17. The following week, Maryland fell to a heavy underdog again when a reeling Virginia
team engineered a 31–0 shutout. Scott, then the leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC), had 11 carries but was held to just 36 yards. Despite the setback, Scott retained the lead in the ACC with 96.4 rushing yards per game. After a bye week
, Maryland shutout 21st-ranked Wake Forest
, 26–0. Scott had 18 carries for a game-high of 73 yards, threw a nine-yard touchdown pass
, and had three fumble
s. In the first quarter, Scott fumbled at the Wake Forest 25-yard line, but was able to recover the ball. Two plays later, he executed a halfback option, where he took the handoff and threw a nine-yard pass to Heyward-Bey for a touchdown. It was Scott's first pass attempt and completion
. Scott fumbled twice more in the first half, and Wake Forest recovered only to miss a field goal
attempt each time. Against NC State
, Scott had 23 carries for 163 yards and a 24-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, after the third play of Maryland's game-winning drive, Meggett replaced Scott, who had re-injured his shoulder. With the sixth win, Maryland attained bowl eligibility. Scott remained the ACC leading rusher with 102.6 yards per game. He was deemed questionable before the Virginia Tech
game, but did see action. However, the Virginia Tech line held Scott to 11 yards on 10 carries, although he did manage five receptions for 57 yards. Against 17th-ranked North Carolina
, Scott recorded 129 rushing yards and a three-yard touchdown run. Maryland entered its penultimate regular season game against Florida State
still within reach of the Atlantic Division title, and with it, a berth in the ACC Championship Game
. Florida State, however, dashed Maryland's title hopes in a 37–3 rout in which Scott recorded 82 rushing yards, but fumbled twice. In the fourth quarter, defensive end Everette Brown
forced Scott to fumble, which was seen as the end to any potential comeback. Against a tough Boston College
line, the Maryland rushing attack faltered, which forced quarterback Chris Turner to resort mostly to the pass. Scott rushed 13 times for a gain of just 19 yards.
In the postseason, Maryland accepted an invitation to the Humanitarian Bowl
to play the Western Athletic Conference
runner-up, Nevada
. Before the game, however, head coach Ralph Friedgen caught Scott and six other players breaking curfew. Scott declined to comment to the media about why he had missed curfew, and Friedgen said only that Scott had tried to "help somebody and got put in a bad situation." Friedgen initially intended to send the offenders back to College Park
by bus, but athletic director Deborah Yow
convinced him to issue partial-game suspensions instead. Scott was benched until halfway through the third quarter. He said, "I made a bad decision. I felt I had to run with a purpose." Scott was put into the game on Maryland's third possession of the half but did not receive a carry until the following series. On his first attempt, he ran for 14 yards and then ran 11 yards on his second. During the next drive, he broke free on a 49-yard touchdown run. On the next possession, Scott rushed on all four plays and gained 66 yards and another touchdown. Maryland won, 42–35, and Scott was named the Terrapins' most valuable player
of the game. Nevada head coach Chris Ault
said, "He just ran through us like we weren't there. They ran the weak-side gap, we knew that was one of their base plays, and he did a great job. He's a heck of a back, no question about it. He was breaking tackles, and that's not only a difference-maker but a morale-changer." He ran for 174 yards, which broke the school record for rushing in a bowl game
previously set by Lu Gambino
in the 1948 Gator Bowl
. Scott also became just the seventh Maryland player to surpass the 1,000-yard single-season rushing benchmark. Earlier in the season, Scott set that mark as one of his goals, and he adorned his room with the statistics of the Terrapins who accomplished that feat in the past, such as Chris Downs in 2002.
Scott spent much of the season as the leading rusher in the ACC, but he was eventually surpassed by Jonathan Dwyer
of Georgia Tech
and finished second in the conference. In early October, Scott was added to the Maxwell Award
watch list. The Atlantic Coast Conference named Scott to the All-ACC first team alongside Dwyer.
collided, which injured both players. Scott suffered a sprained knee
which forced him to sit out the Red–White spring game. He entered summer practice at the top of the depth chart, but Davin Meggett's camp performance was impressive enough to earn a share of the number-one position. In its 2009 preseason issue, Phil Steele's listed Scott as the 23rd-ranked draft eligible college running back, a preseason first-team All-ACC running back, and one of 19 "darkhorse" contenders for the Heisman Trophy
. Athlon Sports named him to their preseason All-ACC second team. Before the season, he was added to the Doak Walker Award
and Maxwell Award
watch lists.
In the season opener at 12th-ranked California
, Scott recorded 13 carries for 90 yards. He scored the Terrapins' only touchdown on a 39-yard rush in the third quarter of the 52–13 rout, Maryland's worst opening loss since 1892. The following week, Scott had 17 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win against James Madison
. He recorded a 48-yard touchdown run against Middle Tennessee
, but also two fumbles in the first quarter. Scott finished the game with 13 attempts for 117 yards., but coach Friedgen relied mostly on Meggett after the second turnover. Scott suffered a broken wrist against Clemson
, a game that also saw Maryland left tackle Bruce Campbell
injured. He sat out the next five games, before he returned in the penultimate game against Florida State
, in which he ran 83 yards on 19 attempts and also had two receptions for 21 yards. The performance prompted Scout.com
to note, "It's almost like this stud running back never missed a game for the Terps ... it is impressive to see the junior hard at work and making up for lost time." In the season finale against Boston College
, Maryland opened the game with Scott attempting a pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith
on a halfback option play
; it fell incomplete but drew a defensive pass interference
call. Scott rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, and caught three passes for 20 yards.
praised Scott for the strength and size he added in the offseason, and offensive coordinator James Franklin described Scott as a "complete back". Before the season, Scott was added to the Maxwell Award
and Doak Walker Award
watch lists.
Maryland entered the 2010 season
with Scott and Meggett
sharing time as the number-one running back. Head coach Friedgen said, "At this point in time, I would say Scott and Meggett are 1A and 1B." In the season opener against Navy
, Scott recorded 58 yards on ten carries, which included five touches on the opening drive for 36 yards and a five-yard touchdown run. The following week against Division I FCS , Scott, Meggett, and redshirt freshman running back D. J. Adams all averaged over five yards per carry in the 62–3 rout. Scott amassed eight carries for 42 yards and three receptions for 31 yards. Maryland's rushing attack struggled in the 31–17 loss to West Virginia
, and Scott had four carries for six yards and three catches for 26 yards. Against Florida International
, he gained 103 yards and scored two touchdowns on 15 carries. Scott scored on a 56-yard run and a nine-yard run in which he broke three arm tackles. Duke
held Scott to 26 yards in the first half, but in the third quarter, he caught a short pass from quarterback Danny O'Brien and ran down the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown. O'Brien said he repeatedly checked down through his available receivers and Scott was his final option. Scott finished with 14 carries for 50 yards.
At Clemson
, Scott threw a four-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Danny O'Brien
on a trick play
for Maryland's only score in a 31–7 loss. He had four rushing attempts for 18 yards. During that game, Scott became the tenth player in school history to amass 3,000 all-purpose yards. At Boston College
, Scott rushed nine times for 19 yards and caught one pass for four yards. He also filled in for injured kickoff returner Torrey Smith
and had one return for 25 yards. Against Wake Forest
, he had eleven carries for 50 yards and one reception for ten yards. At Miami
, Scott rushed nine times for 30 yards and had a 12-yard reception. At Virginia
, he carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards and had two catches for eight yards including a two-yard reception for a touchdown. Against 25th-ranked Florida State
, Scott rushed ten times for 87 yards and caught two passes for eight yards. Scott was held to negative ten rushing yards on four touches by 23rd-ranked North Carolina State
in his final home game on Senior Night, but Maryland still won, 38–31.
In the Military Bowl against East Carolina
, Scott rushed for a career-high 200 yards on 13 carries, including two touchdowns on 61- and 91-yard runs, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He broke the school record for rushing in a bowl game that he previously set in 2008. His performance was described as "utterly electrifying", and left his "stock among draft-eligible running backs soaring with NFL scouts". His 15.4 yards per carry was the best single-game performance in school history. Scott ended the 2010 season with 708 rushing yards on 122 attempts and five touchdowns. He finished his college career with 2,401 rushing yards on 430 attempts and 17 touchdowns, and 3,509 all-purpose yards. Scott ranked seventh in school history in career rushing yards and second in career yards per carry with an average of 5.58.
Scott was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011 in Orlando
. He also participated in the Senior Bowl
, and The New York Times
praised him for his practice leading up to the game. In the Senior Bowl, Scott recorded five carries for 15 yards, including a touchdown on a one-yard run.
selected Scott with the 221st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
. Giants general manager Jerry Reese
said, "We took a flyer on the guy because he is big and fast... We hope this guy develops into a Willie Parker
, one of those kinds of things." At the NFL Combine, Scott ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds, the fastest time recorded by any of the participating running backs.
Scott secured a spot on the active roster behind Ahmad Bradshaw
and Brandon Jacobs
with a strong preseason performance. In the game against the Chicago Bears
, he had one carry for a 97-yard touchdown. Against the New England Patriots
, Scott took a snap on a fake punt, which he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. He made his regular season debut in Week 1 against the Washington Redskins
, but recorded no statistics.
was Scott's childhood sports idol, he says Jordan was not the inspiration for his jersey number of 23. Scott chose it as a combination of his older brothers' high school numbers: James wore number 20, and Lee, Jr. wore number 3. Scott said, "They were my father."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was the starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. During the 2008 season
2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season
The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season was the 56th season that the Atlantic Coast Conference participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association college football...
, he was the second-leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, behind Jonathan Dwyer
Jonathan Dwyer
Jonathan Avery Dwyer is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
of Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
Scott played interscholastic football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
as a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and free safety at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School is a high school in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Colonial School District, with a current enrollment of approximately 1,600 students.- PWHS Principal :...
. He was moderately recruited, but Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
thought he was more suited to the position of wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
or cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
at the intercollegiate level
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. In 2006
2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, where he was moved to wide receiver, but he spent the entire season on redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
status. The following season
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, he saw limited action as a reserve running back behind starters Lance Ball
Lance Ball
Lance Ball is an American football running back who is a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore is an American football running back who is currently an NFL free agent and also played for the Trenton Steel in the SIFL. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.Lattimore has also been a member of the...
. He also played on special teams as a kickoff returner, which was the coaching staff's attempt to get him on the field in some capacity because of his speed.
In 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, Scott took over as Maryland's starting running back and spent much of the season as the leading rusher
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC). He was eventually surpassed by Dwyer, although both players were named to the All-ACC first team at the season's end. Scott also became the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
most valuable player when he broke the University of Maryland bowl game rushing record, and he finished the season with 1,133 rushing yards, the seventh Terrapin player to surpass a thousand yards in a single season.
Early life
Scott was born on May 26, 1988 in Conshohocken, PennsylvaniaConshohocken, Pennsylvania
Conshohocken is a borough on the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in suburban Philadelphia. Historically a large mill town and industrial and manufacturing center, after the decline of industry in recent years Conshohocken has developed into a center of riverfront commercial and...
to Gloria and Lee Scott, Sr. He has two older brothers, Lee Scott, Jr., who played football as a defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
at La Salle
La Salle Explorers football
The La Salle Explorers football team is a former American football team representing La Salle University. The team competed in the MAAC football league at the Football Championship Subdivision level .-History:...
, and James, who ran track at Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Hawks
The Saint Joseph's Hawks represent the athletic teams at Saint Joseph's University. The Hawks compete in Division I in the NCAA and the Philadelphia Big 5. The school also has intramurals and extramurals, the latter of which compete with the City 6 . The school is mostly known for its men's...
. When Da'Rel Scott was eight years old, his parents had a falling out, which prompted his father to leave the family. Thereafter, Lee Scott, Sr. was no longer involved in raising his sons and would often miss scheduled visits. Da'Rel Scott said, "He just kept letting me down. Just day by day, I was thinking, 'I need a father figure in my life.'" In high school, his attitude changed, and he said, "I don't need him." Despite the absence of his biological father, Scott grew up with the support of his mother, two brothers, cousin, youth football coach, and high school athletic director.
He attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School is a high school in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Colonial School District, with a current enrollment of approximately 1,600 students.- PWHS Principal :...
in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Plymouth Meeting is a census-designated place in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the northern terminus of the "Blue Route" and the southern terminus of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension . The population was 6,177 at the 2010 census...
, where he was a four-year letterwinner in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, and basketball. In track during his junior year, he won the state championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.56 seconds. In football, Scott was a three-year starter
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
and played as both a tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
and free safety. During his senior year, he rushed for 2,523 yards and 38 touchdowns on 232 attempts. As both a junior and senior, he received the Maxwell Award for the conference player of the year. As a senior, The Times Herald named him the area player of the year, the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
named him an all-state player, and he was invited to the Big 33 Football Classic
Big 33 Football Classic
The Big 33 Football Classic is an all-star American football game featuring the top high-school football players in Pennsylvania. Played since 1957, the game is often described as the "Super Bowl of High School Football." The last 14 contests have pitted players from Pennsylvania against players...
all-star game. SuperPrep named him an all-region player. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
rated him a four-star prospect and assessed him as the 21st-ranked "athlete" recruit in the nation. Scout.com assessed him as a three-star prospect, and wrote of him, "This kid can flat out fly. He runs a sub-11.5 100 meters, and a sub-22.0 200 meters. Scott needs to get physically bigger to be a college running back; he may project better as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
or cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
." Scott received scholarship offers
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
from Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
, Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, and his ultimate choice, Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. In 2006, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, where he studied kinesiology
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
.
2006 season
Scott sat out the 2006 season2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
as a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
. After summer training camp, the coaching staff moved Scott to wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, a position that lacked depth
Depth chart
In sports, a depth chart is used to show the placements of the starting players and the secondary players. Generally a starting player will be listed first or on top while a back-up will be listed below...
, but head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
said that Scott had some difficulty making the adjustment. He was, however, named the offensive scout team
Scout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
player of the week for his performance in the practices before the Florida State
2006 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2006 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2006 college football season. Florida State entered the 2006 season as the defending ACC Champion, coming off an 8-5 record in 2005...
game.
2007 season
During 2007 spring practice, Scott was third on the depth chart, but suffered a left knee injury, which forced him to miss most of camp. During the 2007 season2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, he played in nine games as a reserve tailback behind Lance Ball
Lance Ball
Lance Ball is an American football running back who is a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore is an American football running back who is currently an NFL free agent and also played for the Trenton Steel in the SIFL. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.Lattimore has also been a member of the...
and as a kickoff returner. Despite the team's abundance of running backs, Friedgen wanted to utilize Scott in some capacity because of his speed, which had been recorded at 4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
said, "On paper it says I'm faster, but Da'Rel, he's just a different type of animal." Against Wake Forest
2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe in his seventh season at the school and played its home games at BB&T Field. The team began its season with an Atlantic Coast...
, he saw his first action when he returned four kickoffs
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
for 101 yards. Scott's special teams performance in that game sufficiently impressed head coach Friedgen that he said, "I think I've got to try to get him involved within the offense. I think he's a guy that can make some plays for us." The following week, unranked Maryland upset 10th-ranked Rutgers
2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
For the first time in the history of Rutgers football, the team entered a season ranked - 16th in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with an 8-5 record that included a 52-30 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in the 2008 International Bowl...
, and Scott made his first career appearance as a tailback. He had three carries
Carry (American football)
In American football, a carry is a statistical term equivalent to a single rushing play. The term is typically used in reference to "yards per carry," meaning yards per attempt rushing the ball. Any offensive player who performs a carry is known as a ballcarrier, regardless of position....
for 29 yards. After sitting out the Georgia Tech
2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college football season of 2007–2008. The team's coach was former Dallas Cowboys, Samford Bulldogs, and Troy Trojans coach Chan Gailey...
game because of an ankle injury, he returned four kicks for 68 yards against Virginia
2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach is coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Preseason :...
, three for 56 yards against Clemson
2007 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2007 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2007 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Tommy Bowden and played their home games in Memorial Stadium.- Notable :...
, and two for 40 yards against North Carolina
2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2007 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina in the 2007 college football season. The team was led by first year coach Butch Davis.-Previous season:...
. Against eighth-ranked Boston College, Scott caught a short screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
from quarterback Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
and ran 57 yards for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. It was his first career reception
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
and first career touchdown. It was one of just two offensive plays for Scott in that game, and incidentally, he was not intended to be in it. Friedgen said:
"When he was in the game, I didn't even know he was in the game. I called a screen pass. I looked up, and it was Da'Rel in there. I figured we were just giving Lance a rest, but I asked [running backs coach Phil] Zacharias about it Sunday and he started laughing. I said 'Did you put Da'Rel in for that screen pass?' He said, 'Lance's equipment was broken, so he had to go in the game.'"
In the loss to Florida State
2007 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2007 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2007 college football season. Florida State entered the 2007 season coming off a 2006 that ended with an overall record of 7-6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden's worst record since going 6-5 in 1981,...
, Scott rush
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
ed twice for 17 yards and returned four kickoffs for 132 yards. On one return, Scott gained 60 yards and nearly broke away for a touchdown, but Maryland was unable to capitalize on the gain during the subsequent possession. The next week, Maryland secured bowl eligibility by winning its regular season finale against NC State
2007 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2007 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's Head Coach was Tom O'Brien. N.C. State has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since the league's inception in 1953, and has participated...
. Scott returned the opening kickoff 36 yards and recorded 89 yards on eight carries to lead the team in rushing. In the 2007 Emerald Bowl
2007 Emerald Bowl
The 2007 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2007, at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, with the Atlantic Coast Conference represented by the Maryland Terrapins against the Oregon State Beavers, representing the Pacific-10...
against Oregon State
2007 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head coach is Mike Riley. Home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-Season notes:...
, Scott had one carry for no gain and returned two kickoffs for 36 yards. Scott finished the season as the team's all-purpose yardage leader with 84.2 yards per game and kick return leader with 566 yards, which set a school record for a freshman. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
named him a freshman All-ACC all-purpose player.
2008 season
After the graduation of running backs Ball and Lattimore, Scott competed with Morgan GreenMorgan Green
Morgan Green is an American former college and high school football player. He played as a running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He played interscholastic football for Henry E...
for the starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
position. At the conclusion of spring practice, it appeared they would share the duties, as they had complementary running styles: Scott had breakaway speed, while Green was a hard runner for short-yardage gains. However, Green suffered a quadriceps injury that caused him to fall to the third-string position behind true freshman Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
.
During the season, Scott played in 12 of 13 games, including 11 starts, and recorded 1,133 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. In the first game of the 2008 season
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
against Delaware
2008 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team
The 2008 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team represented the University of Delaware in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football in its eighth season as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association .K.C. Keeler served as head...
, Scott ran for 197 yards in his first career start, which was enough to place sixteenth on the list for school all-time single-game rushing. The following week, underdog Middle Tennessee
2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
The 2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Middle Tennessee competed as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The team...
stunned Maryland, 24–14, but Scott set the game-high for rushing with 123 yards. He tallied his career-first rushing touchdown with a 63-yard run on the second play of the game. Scott "dominated early" against 23rd-ranked California
2008 California Golden Bears football team
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford...
with 19 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, but in the third quarter, he suffered a game-ending shoulder injury. His first-half effort helped Maryland take a quick lead and eventually upset California, 35–27. Scott sat out the next game against Eastern Michigan
2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
The 2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference.The team was led by...
, but returned for the road game at 20th-ranked Clemson
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
. Scott made 23 carries but gained only 39 yards, a mark that was surpassed by receiver Heyward-Bey on one reverse
Reverse (American football)
A reverse is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play.-Variations:...
that gained 76 yards to spark a second-half comeback. Head coach Friedgen said:
"I told Da'Rel he needed to run a little more north–south. Clemson has such good team speed. If you go east–west on them, you're not going to go very far. I thought he had a couple runs when he tried to bounce it outside. Normally, Da'Rel can do that. Not against this team . . . I told him this is a game where three yards is a good running play . . . I don't know if Da'Rel has been in a game like this, playing the whole game that way in a tough environment. He came out in the second half and said 'I'm going to go, coach.' He patted me on the butt. 'Just get me the ball.'"
Scott tallied the go-ahead touchdown to complete Maryland's comeback, 20–17. The following week, Maryland fell to a heavy underdog again when a reeling Virginia
2008 Virginia Cavaliers Football Team
The 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Virginia's 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Cavaliers were led by...
team engineered a 31–0 shutout. Scott, then the leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC), had 11 carries but was held to just 36 yards. Despite the setback, Scott retained the lead in the ACC with 96.4 rushing yards per game. After a bye week
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
, Maryland shutout 21st-ranked Wake Forest
2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The Demon Deacons...
, 26–0. Scott had 18 carries for a game-high of 73 yards, threw a nine-yard touchdown pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
, and had three fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s. In the first quarter, Scott fumbled at the Wake Forest 25-yard line, but was able to recover the ball. Two plays later, he executed a halfback option, where he took the handoff and threw a nine-yard pass to Heyward-Bey for a touchdown. It was Scott's first pass attempt and completion
Completion (American football)
A completion is a term used in American football when a receiver successfully catches a pass. The three possible outcomes of a pass thrown are completion, incompletion, and interception, respectively....
. Scott fumbled twice more in the first half, and Wake Forest recovered only to miss a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
attempt each time. Against NC State
2008 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2008 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's Head Coach was Tom O'Brien, who began his second season as the Wolfpack head coach with a 5-7 overall record, and a 3-5 conference record at NCSU. N.C...
, Scott had 23 carries for 163 yards and a 24-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, after the third play of Maryland's game-winning drive, Meggett replaced Scott, who had re-injured his shoulder. With the sixth win, Maryland attained bowl eligibility. Scott remained the ACC leading rusher with 102.6 yards per game. He was deemed questionable before the Virginia Tech
2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach is Frank Beamer. Prior to the season, the Hokies were expected to be in a rebuilding mode, recovering after the...
game, but did see action. However, the Virginia Tech line held Scott to 11 yards on 10 carries, although he did manage five receptions for 57 yards. Against 17th-ranked North Carolina
2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team originally went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.-Recruiting:The Tar...
, Scott recorded 129 rushing yards and a three-yard touchdown run. Maryland entered its penultimate regular season game against Florida State
2008 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2008 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Florida State's 17th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The previous...
still within reach of the Atlantic Division title, and with it, a berth in the ACC Championship Game
2008 ACC Championship Game
The 2008 ACC Championship Game was a college football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Boston College Eagles. The game, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, was the final regular-season contest of the 2008 college football season for the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. Florida State, however, dashed Maryland's title hopes in a 37–3 rout in which Scott recorded 82 rushing yards, but fumbled twice. In the fourth quarter, defensive end Everette Brown
Everette Brown
-Carolina Panthers:Originally projected a first-round draft pick, Brown saw his draft stock falling because of questions about his size. He was picked 43rd overall in the second round by the Panthers, who traded their 2010 NFL Draft first-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to get that pick.With...
forced Scott to fumble, which was seen as the end to any potential comeback. Against a tough Boston College
2008 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by...
line, the Maryland rushing attack faltered, which forced quarterback Chris Turner to resort mostly to the pass. Scott rushed 13 times for a gain of just 19 yards.
In the postseason, Maryland accepted an invitation to the Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
to play the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
runner-up, Nevada
2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Nevada competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference .The team was led by...
. Before the game, however, head coach Ralph Friedgen caught Scott and six other players breaking curfew. Scott declined to comment to the media about why he had missed curfew, and Friedgen said only that Scott had tried to "help somebody and got put in a bad situation." Friedgen initially intended to send the offenders back to College Park
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
by bus, but athletic director Deborah Yow
Deborah Yow
Deborah A. Yow is an American college sports administrator and former college basketball coach. She is currently the director of athletics at North Carolina State University, and formerly held the same position at the University of Maryland and Saint Louis University...
convinced him to issue partial-game suspensions instead. Scott was benched until halfway through the third quarter. He said, "I made a bad decision. I felt I had to run with a purpose." Scott was put into the game on Maryland's third possession of the half but did not receive a carry until the following series. On his first attempt, he ran for 14 yards and then ran 11 yards on his second. During the next drive, he broke free on a 49-yard touchdown run. On the next possession, Scott rushed on all four plays and gained 66 yards and another touchdown. Maryland won, 42–35, and Scott was named the Terrapins' most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the game. Nevada head coach Chris Ault
Chris Ault
Chris Ault is the current college football head coach of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack. Ault, along with John Gagliardi, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame....
said, "He just ran through us like we weren't there. They ran the weak-side gap, we knew that was one of their base plays, and he did a great job. He's a heck of a back, no question about it. He was breaking tackles, and that's not only a difference-maker but a morale-changer." He ran for 174 yards, which broke the school record for rushing in a bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
previously set by Lu Gambino
Lu Gambino
Lucien Anthony "Lu" Gambino was an American football running back. He played college football for Indiana University, and after military service in the Second World War, the University of Maryland...
in the 1948 Gator Bowl
1948 Gator Bowl
The 1948 Gator Bowl was the third edition of the Gator Bowl and featured the Georgia Bulldogs representing the University of Georgia and the Maryland Terrapins representing the University of Maryland. It was the first-ever meeting of the two teams....
. Scott also became just the seventh Maryland player to surpass the 1,000-yard single-season rushing benchmark. Earlier in the season, Scott set that mark as one of his goals, and he adorned his room with the statistics of the Terrapins who accomplished that feat in the past, such as Chris Downs in 2002.
Scott spent much of the season as the leading rusher in the ACC, but he was eventually surpassed by Jonathan Dwyer
Jonathan Dwyer
Jonathan Avery Dwyer is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
of Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
and finished second in the conference. In early October, Scott was added to the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch list. The Atlantic Coast Conference named Scott to the All-ACC first team alongside Dwyer.
2009 season
During a practice in April 2009, Scott and cornerback Nolan CarrollNolan Carroll
Nolan Carroll, Jr. is an American football defensive back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins from the University of Maryland.-Early life:...
collided, which injured both players. Scott suffered a sprained knee
Sprain
A sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary...
which forced him to sit out the Red–White spring game. He entered summer practice at the top of the depth chart, but Davin Meggett's camp performance was impressive enough to earn a share of the number-one position. In its 2009 preseason issue, Phil Steele's listed Scott as the 23rd-ranked draft eligible college running back, a preseason first-team All-ACC running back, and one of 19 "darkhorse" contenders for the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
. Athlon Sports named him to their preseason All-ACC second team. Before the season, he was added to the Doak Walker Award
Doak Walker Award
The Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
and Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch lists.
In the season opener at 12th-ranked California
2009 California Golden Bears football team
The 2009 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition during the 2009 season...
, Scott recorded 13 carries for 90 yards. He scored the Terrapins' only touchdown on a 39-yard rush in the third quarter of the 52–13 rout, Maryland's worst opening loss since 1892. The following week, Scott had 17 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win against James Madison
2009 James Madison Dukes football team
The 2009 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. JMU finished the season 6-5 with a record of 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association.-Schedule:...
. He recorded a 48-yard touchdown run against Middle Tennessee
2009 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
The 2009 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football for the 2009 season. Middle Tennessee competed as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The team...
, but also two fumbles in the first quarter. Scott finished the game with 13 attempts for 117 yards., but coach Friedgen relied mostly on Meggett after the second turnover. Scott suffered a broken wrist against Clemson
2009 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2009 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2009 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, who was in his first full season as head coach. The Tigers played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
, a game that also saw Maryland left tackle Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell (American football)
-Oakland Raiders:Campbell was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He will be reunited with former Maryland teammate Darrius Heyward-Bey. Before the draft, many draft experts had Campbell being selected by the Raiders in the first round...
injured. He sat out the next five games, before he returned in the penultimate game against Florida State
2009 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2009 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2009 college football season. The Seminoles were led by 34th year head coach Bobby Bowden...
, in which he ran 83 yards on 19 attempts and also had two receptions for 21 yards. The performance prompted Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
to note, "It's almost like this stud running back never missed a game for the Terps ... it is impressive to see the junior hard at work and making up for lost time." In the season finale against Boston College
2009 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2009 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2009 season as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Eagles were led by first-year head coach Frank Spaziani. He replaced Jeff Jagodzinski who was fired after the 2008 season...
, Maryland opened the game with Scott attempting a pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
on a halfback option play
Halfback option play
The halfback option play is an unorthodox play in American football. It resembles a normal running play, but the running back has the option to throw a pass to a wide receiver or tight end before crossing the line of scrimmage....
; it fell incomplete but drew a defensive pass interference
Pass interference
In American and Canadian gridiron football, pass interference is a penalty that occurs when a player interferes with an eligible receiver's ability to make a fair attempt to catch a forward pass. Pass interference may include tripping, pushing, pulling, or cutting in front of the receiver or...
call. Scott rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, and caught three passes for 20 yards.
2010 season
In the winter, Scott competed on the indoor track team and ran a 60-yard dash in 6.87 seconds, and he claimed to have regained the speed he had in high school. During spring football camp, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time among the running backs at 4.33 seconds. Head coach Ralph FriedgenRalph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
praised Scott for the strength and size he added in the offseason, and offensive coordinator James Franklin described Scott as a "complete back". Before the season, Scott was added to the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
and Doak Walker Award
Doak Walker Award
The Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
watch lists.
Maryland entered the 2010 season
2010 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2010 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Terrapins' 58th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its sixth within the framework of the ACC Atlantic Division...
with Scott and Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
sharing time as the number-one running back. Head coach Friedgen said, "At this point in time, I would say Scott and Meggett are 1A and 1B." In the season opener against Navy
2010 Navy Midshipmen football team
The 2010 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Midshipmen, led by third-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo, competed as an Independent and played their home games at the Navy – Marine Corps Memorial...
, Scott recorded 58 yards on ten carries, which included five touches on the opening drive for 36 yards and a five-yard touchdown run. The following week against Division I FCS , Scott, Meggett, and redshirt freshman running back D. J. Adams all averaged over five yards per carry in the 62–3 rout. Scott amassed eight carries for 42 yards and three receptions for 31 yards. Maryland's rushing attack struggled in the 31–17 loss to West Virginia
2010 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2010 West Virginia Mountaineer football team represented West Virginia University in the college football season of 2010. The Mountaineers were led by head coach Bill Stewart and played their home games at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. They were members of the Big East...
, and Scott had four carries for six yards and three catches for 26 yards. Against Florida International
2010 FIU Golden Panthers football team
The 2010 FIU Golden Panthers football team represented Florida International University during their 6th season of NCAA Division I FBS football and their 9th season overall...
, he gained 103 yards and scored two touchdowns on 15 carries. Scott scored on a 56-yard run and a nine-yard run in which he broke three arm tackles. Duke
2010 Duke Blue Devils football team
The 2010 Duke Blue Devils football team represented Duke University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blue Devils were led by 3rd year head coach David Cutcliffe and played their home games at Wallace Wade Stadium. They are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Coastal...
held Scott to 26 yards in the first half, but in the third quarter, he caught a short pass from quarterback Danny O'Brien and ran down the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown. O'Brien said he repeatedly checked down through his available receivers and Scott was his final option. Scott finished with 14 carries for 50 yards.
At Clemson
2010 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2010 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his second full year and third year overall after taking over the job midway through the 2008 season...
, Scott threw a four-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Danny O'Brien
Danny O'Brien (American football)
Daniel Matthew "Danny" O'Brien is an American football quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:O'Brien was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and at the age of 12, moved to Kernersville, North Carolina, where he attended East Forsyth High School. During his...
on a trick play
Trick play
A trick play, also known as a gadget play or a gimmick play, is a play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a...
for Maryland's only score in a 31–7 loss. He had four rushing attempts for 18 yards. During that game, Scott became the tenth player in school history to amass 3,000 all-purpose yards. At Boston College
2010 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2010 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles were led by second year head coach Frank Spaziani and played their home games at Alumni Stadium. They were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Atlantic...
, Scott rushed nine times for 19 yards and caught one pass for four yards. He also filled in for injured kickoff returner Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
and had one return for 25 yards. Against Wake Forest
2010 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2010 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe, who was coaching his tenth season at the school, and played its home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competes in the...
, he had eleven carries for 50 yards and one reception for ten yards. At Miami
2010 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2010 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hurricanes were coached by Randy Shannon during the regular season, then coached by Jeff Stoutland during their bowl game and played their home games at Sun Life...
, Scott rushed nine times for 30 yards and had a 12-yard reception. At Virginia
2010 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2010 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2010 season as a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers, led by first year head coach Mike London, played their home games at Scott Stadium and are members of the Coastal...
, he carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards and had two catches for eight yards including a two-yard reception for a touchdown. Against 25th-ranked Florida State
2010 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2010 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Seminoles were led by 1st year head coach Jimbo Fisher and played their home games at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium. They were members of...
, Scott rushed ten times for 87 yards and caught two passes for eight yards. Scott was held to negative ten rushing yards on four touches by 23rd-ranked North Carolina State
2010 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2010 NC State Wolfpack Football Team represented North Carolina State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolfpack, led by head coach Tom O'Brien, played their home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina and were members of the Atlantic division...
in his final home game on Senior Night, but Maryland still won, 38–31.
In the Military Bowl against East Carolina
2010 East Carolina Pirates football team
The 2010 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Pirates played their home games in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and were led by head coach Ruffin McNeill, a former Pirate football player and former Texas Tech defensive...
, Scott rushed for a career-high 200 yards on 13 carries, including two touchdowns on 61- and 91-yard runs, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He broke the school record for rushing in a bowl game that he previously set in 2008. His performance was described as "utterly electrifying", and left his "stock among draft-eligible running backs soaring with NFL scouts". His 15.4 yards per carry was the best single-game performance in school history. Scott ended the 2010 season with 708 rushing yards on 122 attempts and five touchdowns. He finished his college career with 2,401 rushing yards on 430 attempts and 17 touchdowns, and 3,509 all-purpose yards. Scott ranked seventh in school history in career rushing yards and second in career yards per carry with an average of 5.58.
Scott was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011 in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. He also participated in the Senior Bowl
2011 Senior Bowl
The 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2010 college football season, and prospects for the 2011 Draft of the professional National Football League . Final score was South Team 24 to North Team 10.The game was played on January...
, and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
praised him for his practice leading up to the game. In the Senior Bowl, Scott recorded five carries for 15 yards, including a touchdown on a one-yard run.
College statistics
| Maryland | Rushing | Receiving | Returning | Passing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | KRs | Yds | Lg | TD | Att | Cmp | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | Int | ||||
| 2007 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 135 | 9.6 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 57.0 | 57 | 1 | 26 | 566 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2008 | 12 | 11 | 209 | 1,133 | 5.4 | 63 | 8 | 21 | 171 | 8.1 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4.5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2009 | 7 | 5 | 85 | 425 | 5.0 | 48 | 4 | 12 | 111 | 9.3 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2010 | 13 | 13 | 122 | 708 | 5.8 | 91 | 5 | 14 | 170 | 12.1 | 71 | 3 | 2 | 33 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 41 | 29 | 430 | 2,401 | 5.6 | 91 | 17 | 48 | 509 | 10.6 | 71 | 4 | 28 | 599 | 60 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 4.3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | ||||
New York Giants
The New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
selected Scott with the 221st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. Giants general manager Jerry Reese
Jerry Reese
Jerry Reese is the current General Manager of the New York Giants. He succeeded Ernie Accorsi as general manager on January 16, 2007, having been with the Giants since 1994...
said, "We took a flyer on the guy because he is big and fast... We hope this guy develops into a Willie Parker
Willie Parker
"Fast" Willie Everette Parker Jr. is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina...
, one of those kinds of things." At the NFL Combine, Scott ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds, the fastest time recorded by any of the participating running backs.
Scott secured a spot on the active roster behind Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants...
and Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
with a strong preseason performance. In the game against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he had one carry for a 97-yard touchdown. Against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Scott took a snap on a fake punt, which he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. He made his regular season debut in Week 1 against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, but recorded no statistics.
Personal life
Scott motivates himself for games by channeling the anger at his father's abandonment. He said, "I am always going to have anger because of how he did me. It is always going to be there. It is not going away. No way at all." While basketball player Michael JordanMichael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
was Scott's childhood sports idol, he says Jordan was not the inspiration for his jersey number of 23. Scott chose it as a combination of his older brothers' high school numbers: James wore number 20, and Lee, Jr. wore number 3. Scott said, "They were my father."