Finding the right fit at running back in the CFL usually proves a daunting task. With the exception of a select returning class, the revolving door at this time of year is very apparent, as each team tries to find the next explosive talent.
With C.J. Gable out of much of 2015, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats utilized a sizable platoon of players at the position—Grigsby, Holley, Woodson, Ford and Madu all got minutes. While they provided some positive moments, the season was more or less tumultuous.
Fast forward to 2016 and much is the same at this time last year in that C.J. Gable is slotted as the starter. However, added to roster this Spring is the addition of former Maryland Terrapins stand-out back, Da’Rel Scott.
Scott and the Maryland Terrapins
Scott had great success playing college football for the University of Maryland from 2006-2010.
After red shirting in 2006, his 2007 season saw him third on depth chart. Most of the time on the field was on special teams returning kicks, where he was able to use his mix of size and power. The following season was a breakout year, with Scott amassing 1133 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named to All-ACC First Team, finishing second in the conference in rushing yards. Maryland played in the Humanitarian Bowl, with Scott being named the game’s most valuable player.
With his collegiate career on the upswing, 2009 proved to be a set-back. Suffering a broken wrist, he missed five games. Entering this season, he was on various “watch lists” for individual accolades. Healthy again, Scott was added to both the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards’ watch lists. It was a strong year, one where he shared starting running back duties. Maryland competed in the Military Bowl, where rushed for over 200 yards and won his second bowl game most valuable player trophy. The season was capped with him getting the nod for the East-West Game as well as the Shrine Game.
Scott finished his collegiate career with 430 carries for 2,401 yards, and a 5.6 yards per carry average.
From Terrapin to Giant
With the 221st overall pick in 2011, the New York Giants selected Da’Rel Scott. Of Scott, general manager Jerry Reese claimed, “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.”
Scott had a great first impression in training camp, not only making the roster, but slotting in right after Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs—his sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash at the combine—he was timed at 4.25 and 4.33 at times in his collegiate career—certainly would have helped. Though his first season saw limited action—which is unsurprising seeing as how he was behind Bradshaw and Jacobs—he was kept for the 2012 season.
2012 was certainly unkind, as Scott was placed on the season-ending injury list with a knee injury. 2013 wasn’t much better, seeing just one start that was followed up by a release. He was brought back, but only for the short stint, being released again after he picked up a hamstring injury.
From Giant to Bomber
Scott was brought into the Blue Bombers training camp after a successful showing at a Florida mini-camp in the Spring of 2015. After sustaining an injury at the end of the training camp, he was sidelined for more than one-third of the start of the 2015 campaign. While it didn’t pan out in Winnipeg, how much can be attributed to team chemistry? After all, it’s a team game. Scott was released from the Bombers early in 2016.
From Bomber to Ticat
We’ve established that Scott has some credentials having had a solid collegiate career and having competed at the NFL level. There were certainly some injury concerns that hampered several seasons, including his first in the CFL with Winnipeg, the tools are certainly there. Watching him play, it’s evident that he has some big-play ability in him, and indeed has a history of long, explosive runs. His time with the Terrapins—and the Giants, too—highlighted that potential. On an open 65-yard-across CFL field, one would think he could find holes, perhaps get to the outside, and with his frame might be imposing on secondaries if he can get past that front seven.
Anytime a player under-performs the onus is put on that player, obviously. But with such a topsy-turvy 2015 for the Bombers, might he not have had a good enough look?
When asked about how Scott has played thus far at Tiger-Cats training camp, current TSN1150 radio analyst and former coach John Salavantis had this to say:
“Good size speed and can make D miss. Will block questions if any would be his ability to catch ball. Very explosive & strong”
Main Photo:
