So I chatted with Darrell Scott...
The news of Colorado running back Darrell Scott's possible transfer to UCLA sent Bruin message boards and chat rooms into a tizzy on Tuesday.
Scott was the consensus top running back recruit in the nation after his senior year at St. Bonaventure of Ventura, after transferring from Moorpark High before the season. He considered attending UCLA out of high school but ultimately went with Colorado, picking the Buffaloes over Texas, Florida and LSU.
The Bruins are mentioned as a possible destination after the transfer of Scott's uncle, wide receiver Josh Smith, from Colorado in early September. Smith has been a standout on the scout team during his redshirt, and is expected to fight for a starting position next year. Smith would not comment on the situation.
Scott was quick to downplay any negative talk about Colorado, stating, "I just needed to get back home," but the sense is that he was frustrated with playing time and his role on the team.
He said his interest in UCLA is high, "really high, really," and said that despite the team's recent struggles, he believes the Bruins can turn it around.
"They started the year off pretty well," Scott said by phone on Tuesday night. "I think they're struggling, but they can turn it around. I played football with most of the guys on that team, and I think they have a lot of potential. A lot of talent."
Scott was rated the No. 1 running back in the country by several publications during his senior year for the Seraphs, when he rushed for 2,433 yards and 34 touchdowns, after gaining 3,194 yards and 45 touchdowns during his junior season for Moorpark.
However, Scott's time at Colorado has been marred by injuries and what fans have considered underutilization. Before having arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 22 to correct an injury suffered in Week 2 against Toledo, Scott had just 23 carries for 95 yards this season, after 364 yards on 87 carries in 2008, his freshman season.
He would not discuss his diminished role at Colorado, but he did make it known that he believes he can contribute to any major program.
"I don't want to say anything," Scott said, "I want to show it with my actions."
Kind of cool to get all these former L.A. guys transferring or trying to transfer to UCLA. We need a big power back even though we're stacked at tailback.
Coleman this year and Malcolm Jones next year would seem to qualify as big power backs to me at least.
what would scott's eligibility situation be? Is this his redshirt year? Could he play at UCLA next fall or would he sit out a year?
It would be real nice if monster O-linemen starting transferring here in droves. We have tons of guys who can gain 2ypc behind a depleted offensive line.
I guess that is one benefit of our team playing so poorly lately - we get transfers/recruits as they see the chance to PLAY IMMEDIATELY. Ha... funny how that works.
Realistically, he is a highly regarded recruit who is possibly unhappy with a diminished role. The possibility is there that some part of his game, eg. blocking, burst, pad level, is not what the CU coaches expect, so his playing time is reduced. Doesn't this sound familiar? If he can't impress the Colorado coaches enough to get satisfactory time on the field, will he be able to do that with our coaches? Jury is out with that one, but my hopes are not going thru the roof with this situation.
I saw him play early in the year. Against Toledo he had 12 carries for 85 yards (7.1 avg), but they went away from the run game. Never got a carry after 5 min. in the second quarter. He looked really really good, but I guess the Colo coach wanted to show everyone that his son cannot pass.
here is the box score:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=292542649&period=4
how would this help? he'd be another tailback stuck in a log jam cause the coaching staff cant make up it's mind who they want to play. Any great RB will tell you they need 20 carries a game min so they can stay in a rhythm and this two and sometimes three back rotation is hurting the team.
I'd be happy if some Off cord or a good D cord was transferring
The more talent the better! Bring him in. Get Mobley in here too! UCLA will be better in the long run, the more talent we get!
Go UCLA!
Josh Smith, Darrell Scott, Kai Maiava. Do they have any DT's or LB's we are interested in? Is CU UCLA's minor league system? BruinBurd I agree 100% that Mobley is HUGE. Jon your article about how UCLA Admin is yanking him around and now he is looking at other schools was not what I was hoping to hear. Good info though.
Isn't he already considered a bust?
I think it is a cautionary tale to potential instate recruits (tony jefferson) that are considering going to school out of state. You don't have the mechanisms in place to support your long term goals. That Aikman guy turned out to be a pretty good transfer.
Didn't he have knee surgery? Surgery is surgery, and a bad knee is a bad knee. Not a death sentence, but you're never the same.
I'd be more excited if a transfer was a really good offensive lineman, defensive lineman, or linebacker.
Another running back? Whatever. Is he a Heisman candidate? If so, great. If not, well, it seems like there's alot of running backs in line.
In any event, if true, come on down, Darrell Scott. Will be great to see you in a Bruin uniform. And please bring a championship attitude with you.
so do we continue to take chances on thus-far non-performing transfers or put our eggs in the Barr and/or James baskets? I'm having a hard time understanding how Scott's a helpful addition.
get real here...CAN YOU EVER HAVE TOO MANY RUNNING BACKS?...and with UCLA's past history of injuries with this position...jeez guys, in this case the more the merrier
I don't think UCLA has enough Scholies to add Scott to the RB logjam.
I believe UCLA has 17 Dorrell Seniors leaving the program this year. We have 11 commitments, plus 2 gray shirts. I think that leaves us with 4 scholies left for 2010. That is unless Rick is planning another PURGING of the Dorrell Juniors who have never contributed on Saturdays. Look at the roster and you'll know who they are.
there will be enough room. Not a question. Scholarships are year-to-year. Not a problem.
Darrell Scott could start anywhere.
USC had it's "Stable" at the beginning of the year, now redshirt freshman Curtis McNeal is getting playing time. McNeal was rated the #33 running back in the same class that Scott was rated #1.
Hmmm... I wonder what would happen if USC reached out to Scott. From this thread it doesn't seem like he'd be embraced in Westwood.
Darrell Scott would definitely start at USC.
Joe McKnight is going pro. C.J. Gable and Stafon Johnson are probably going to the draft as well. Allen Bradford is the short yardage power back.
Scott would get a majority of the carries for the Trojans.
Chris Foster seems to think we will pass on Scott. If he wants to and can come, I think we should take him. He also happens to be an incredible kick and punt returner.
http://twitter.com/cfosterlatimes
DMC:
I think NCAA rules state that he would have to sit out one year. He played the first two games of this year and he hasn't redshirted yet. That means he should be eligible after a few games next year. Unless, he can get some type of exception, such as a medical redshirt. Highly unlikely, since his injury was minor and not season ending. He would sit out the rest of this year and have 2 yrs. left to play.
Anon 4:32:
I don't think talent is the issue. It is a combination of the fact that he has been injured, the OL isn't very good, and they don't run much or effectively up in Colorado anymore. He has actually been the second leading rusher, and close to first, the last two years. There just haven't been enough carries for anybody. He also leads the team in all purpose yards this year and he missed several games.
Rejn:
His knee injury was very minor. He only had it scoped to clean it out and was due back in 2 weeks.
He'd look good in Cardinal and Gold.
chris foster is a tool
theuclan:
I don't know if he is a tool or not, but it seems Chris Foster's information was correct.