When a player makes a conscious decision to change their career path, it is not a choice that is made lightly; especially when it involves a switch to the opposite side of the ball.

Many kids who start playing football at the Pop Warner level are generally learning a minimum of two positions: one on offense and the other defense. It might continue through middle school and high school.

For Larry Scott, his path to the NFL began with flag football. His favorite player to watch was Randy Moss. In an interview with The Oregonian in April 2015, he said, “Moss made me love the game. He truly made me love the game. Just the plays he made, the passion he played with. I didn’t say I wanted to be like him, but I wanted to play as big as him.”

Scott may have started on defense, but he eventually found himself lining up at wide receiver for the Corona Centennial Huskies, just up the road in Corona, CA. As a junior, he participated in nine games and finished with 535 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. His senior year (2010-2011) saw him play 14 games, where he exploded for 1,120 receiving yards, logging 12 scores. On the defensive side of the ball he made nine tackles with one interception and one pass defensed.

The 5-foot-11, 194-pounder was challenged by an auspicious beginning at Oregon State University, sustaining a knee injury in just his second fall appearance in his freshman year. Scott finally took the field in 2013 as a rotational player behind Rashaad Reynolds, notching an interception and a forced fumble along with nine tackles.

Then came 2014, the year Scott decided to really change things up. Scott tried out for and won the vacated starting cornerback spot. The results were 43 tackles, which included two tackles for loss, in 12 starts. His senior year at OSU wasn’t as productive, notching an additional 20 tackles (2 TFL). An ankle injury in late October limited him the next two games, ultimately causing him to miss the reminder of the season.

Scott will be facing heavy competition later this month for a spot on the team. To be sure, fourth-year man Steve Williams is looking to build on his 19 tackles, two interceptions season last year. Former practice squad player Richard Crawford (Oceanside High) is eyeing permanency, as is Greg Ducre. Second-year man Craig Mager is in the mix, also. Rounding out the rookie corners with aspirations to make the 53-man roster that Scott has to compete against are Terrell Chestnut and Trevor Williams.

Certainly, defensive coordinator John Pagano and secondary coach Ron Milus will have their hands full in the film room watching how each of these young men perform in drills. Who makes the cut versus practice-squad designation or is ultimately released will be determined by the end of the preseason. Some will see their dream reach fruition, while others will not be so lucky.

Larry Scott has the skills and abilities to be one of those who makes it through. He just has to continue on the path that has gotten him this far. I think he makes it.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments!

Cheryl White

#cornerschallenge