KJ Scott received offers from several schools before signing with South Carolina as a preferred representative.
Savannah State, Benedict, Gardner-Webb, Bluefield College and Lenoir-Rhyne provided scholarship opportunities for the 6-foot-3, 207-pound linebacker at Greenwood (SC) High School.
“It was a long process of thinking,” said Scott. “When I received the offer, I knew in my mind that this was where I wanted to go. I just prayed about it, talked to my parents and mentors and stuff, then found out it was the best place for me to go, grow up as a player and get my education. “
The news was released in January.
“It was kind of shocking because I was leaving weightlifting and got a notification on Twitter,” said Scott. “It was when the coach Drew Hughes was on the team – he’s not there anymore – but I got a message from him that said, ‘We would like to offer you a preferred walk-on here at the University of South Carolina.’ “
Hughes told Scott that he liked how aggressive he was catching the ball.
“I wasn’t talking to him and he just texted me out of the blue, so it was very shocking,” said Scott. “I was very surprised.”
The decision was based on a simple mindset.
“I thought of it like that,” said Scott, “My dream has always been to play the top flight of football. South Carolina at the SEC, this is one of the highest levels in Division I, so I see a preferred replacement, as nothing is easy in life.
“If I had gone JUCO, D-2, D-3, D-1, you have to work wherever you go, and I feel like I have what it takes to go, work and show the coaches what I have and be a kid with a full scholarship. “
Before Scott introduces himself to South Carolina later this summer, he hopes to complete his overall game.
“Lifting my weight, my speed and quickness with the ball, lateral movement and fundamentals, improve my techniques and pass-rush,” he said.
And Scott is excited about the opportunity to play for Shane Beamer and its technical team.
“I think, with the new coaching staff, I think he’s going to change the program with his skill set, mentality,” said Scott. “It will be a better place with all the recruits coming.”