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Late start could still land Scruggs at UT
By Dave Hooker (Contact)
December 13, 2007

Football coach Steve Specht knew he had something special walking the halls of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. If only he could get the school's best athlete on the football field.

It seemed like Greg Scruggs, 6-foot-5 and 230, did everything else. He was a star basketball player and even played drums in the school marching band.

Even with such a diverse transcript, Scruggs needed something more - unless he wanted to be relegated to attending a Division II school on a partial basketball scholarship.

"I told him, 'Coach, I want to get college paid for to make things easier for my family,'" said Scruggs, who is being recruited by Tennessee.

So, it was done. Drumsticks were traded for barbells and football was priority No. 1.

"If God has blessed me with the ability to play at the next level, why not do it?" Scruggs said. "Why not help out my family?"

Scruggs has the ability. Playing at defensive end last season, Scruggs made 40 tackles, 51 quarterback pressures, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

With less than a full season of football under his belt, Scruggs received a dozen scholarship offers.

"Greg has potential to play on Sundays," Specht said, referring to the NFL.

Scruggs took his first official visit last weekend. The destination? Knoxville, where the Vols got the chance to make the first impression.

"The visit was great," Scruggs said. "I had a good time with all the players and the coaches."

Visits to North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Virginia and Michigan State are also scheduled.

Late start could still land Scruggs at UT : Football Recruiting : GoVolsXtra.com