Scott leaves USF for NFL draft in surprise move

To what seems to be everyone's surprise, USF running back Darrell Scott has decided to forego his senior year and opt for the NFL draft.

The decision ends a tumultuous ride for the 6-1, 239 pounder who came to USF two years ago from Colorado and sat out 2010 because of transfer rules.

Scott, rated the top high school running back in the country after his senior year of high school in California, led USF last season with 814 yards rushing (5.3 per carry average) and showed flashes of brilliance.

His best game came against FAMU when he rushed for a career high 146 yards. His other 100 yard rushing game came against Rutgers (19 carries for 100 yards) and against West Virginia in the season finale he rushed for 92 yards on 14 carries.

Scott's departure means the two most heralded running backs out of high school to play for USF never finished their careers for the Bulls. Mike Ford, the former Sarasota High star and single season rushing leader for Manatee and Sarasota Counties, was dropped from the team prior to his senior year for breaking school rules.

USF's Darrell Scott seeks redemption against Cincinnati

After Connecticut turned his fumble into the deciding points in a tough loss last week Darrell Scott wanted redemption.

The junior running back never got it. He was pulled him from the game and never returned.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Scott, who has added a new dimension to the University of South Florida running game that has been stagnant the last few years.

Scott was disappointed, but not angry. He knows redemption is a process and has already gotten quite a bit of it by winning a starting job.

The California product was the country’s most ballyhooed high school player when he signed with Colorado. He later was often referred to as the number one bust in the national recruiting Class of 2008.

Criticism seemed to follow him like a shadow even as recent as last summer when some questioned how he could carry 240 pounds on his six-foot-one inch frame.

A likeable, personable individual, Scott took everything in without a complaint and to his credit worked hard on the scout teams last year after he transferred to USF.

Skeptics rightfully questioned what his 146 rushing yard performance really meant against over matched FAMU earlier this season. But he seemed to be on the verge of realizing his promise with a solid 12 carry 76 yard performance at Pittsburgh.

He had 58 yards on 13 carries against Connecticut when his fumble about midway through the third quarter was returned for a 10 yard touchdown and gave UConn what proved to be the deciding points. He was exiled to the bench for the remainder of the game.

Scott said his fumble lost the game though there was plenty of blame to go around with three other turnovers, numerous failed third down conversion attempts and failure to score a point after five trips inside the UConn 35.

“My mistake was crucial so that is why I put it on my shoulders,” Scott said. “I definitely wanted to go back in because I wanted to redeem myself. I didn’t ask. It is the coach’s decision and I just had to ride the wave. Things didn’t pan out the way I wanted and I just had to clear my head after the game.”

Scott said the fumbles at Pittsburgh and Connecticut were the only two of his collegiate career and he just wants to move forward.

USF head coach Skip Holtz intimated that all is forgotten with Scott and that his playing time won’t be reduced.

“We don’t have a doghouse. Darrell played 50 plays in that game and on 48 you would give him a double plus grading,” Holtz said. “His understanding of the blocking schemes is getter better and he is hitting people and falling forward with all that power. We have two talented backs with him and Demetris Murray. We will continue to preach ball security and they will both continue to play.”

Scott believes he is not close to his potential and has a few things he needs to work on along with protecting the ball. He wants to be that break-away runner again that wooed so many college scouts when he was in high school.

“I don’t feel that I am there yet. I can definitely improve on my open field moves,” Scott said. “On the fumble, I didn’t tuck it all the way and somebody from the side or behind me poked it out. But I can’t let it bother me. If you do that it will put doubt in your mind when you get to the line of scrimmage and hesitate and that will mess up your game.”

With some family and friends living in Tampa, Scott feels he has finally found the right place to let his talents blossom. He believes the Bulls offense is the perfect fit for his style of running.

“A big thing for me now is that I am real comfortable with this offense, which is better suited for me and I am healthy compared to when I was at Colorado,” Scott said. “I am very confident with our offensive linemen; that if one of them is supposed to go off and get the linebacker I know he will do that. I can trust in that and do what I have to do, which is hit the hole fast.”

“Right now we are really trying to stay focused because we know these fans want us to win. We want to make our fans happy, but ultimately we want to make ourselves happy.”

Should Aycock resignation raise concern about USF's Scott

Carl Franks has always believed a football team can never have enough running backs.

Running backs are arguably more susceptible to injury than other football players and sometimes the smallest nick or knack can affect their performance, many football coaches believe.

When he was running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at USF under Jim Leavitt, Franks sometimes used a running back by committee approach to the dismay of some fans. Some wanted to see one guy emerge from the pack like many local people felt about Mike Ford, the Sarasota High product considered to be the best running back Manatee-Sarasota County ever produced.

Franks is now Director of Player of Personnel under USF head coach Skip Holtz, but even with a new coach his philosophy seems to be on point.

The Bulls lost running back Dontae Aycock, the highly touted transfer from Auburn, this week when he quit the team. Aycock was overweight and admitted to Holtz that his heart just wasn’t in it.

Initial reports from USF listed the 5-11 Aycock at 253 pounds, which would’ve meant a 29 pound weight gain since the spring. It was corrected to 233 pounds, which still represented a nine pound weight gain from spring that left Holtz commenting he needed to trim down.

Aycock reportedly told Holtz he couldn’t do it and turned his gear before the Bulls left for their Vero Beach spring camp.

The Aycock situation has to raise concern about Darrell Scott, another transfer running back (from Colorado) who has had weight issues in the past that reportedly affected this performance and led to injuries.

The six-foot-one-inch Scott was listed at 246 in the USF fall roster, which represents a 16 pound increase from the spring.

Also leaving the Bulls was Venice defensive end Brandon Wilkinson, who told Holtz he wanted to go a school where he could get more playing time quicker.

USF coaches say they are fine with Scott weight gain

Darrell Scott says he is not worried about his weight gain since spring practice and those thoughts were echoed by Bulls head coach Skip Holtz and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch after one day of practice.

The transfer running back says he just "blew up" since spring ball, but feels good and doesn't the extra poundage will slow him down.

Holtz describes Scott as a big strong, back who is carrying the weight well. Fitch said Scott is just naturally big and that he is probably carrying about five pounds of water. Both coaches note he made all his required times and didn't appear to be tired so far.

The 6-1 Scott is listed at 239 pounds after being listed at 246 pounds on a roster that was released the day before fall camp began. When camp ended last spring he was at 230 pounds.

Scott weight gain could be making Bulls a little nervous

Substantial weight gain can be good or bad for a running back depending on each player's circumstance.

In the case of USF junior transfer Darrell Scott it has to make people around the Bulls feel a little uncomfortable.

Remember he is the highly touted star who came out of high school in California in 2008 rated the number one running back prospect in the country.

He flubbed at Colorado where he was criticized for being out of shape, which perhaps led to a series of injuries that never seemed to go away.

When Scott signed with Colorado in 2008 he was 205 pounds and eventually got up to 215. USF listed the 6-1 junior at 230 last spring, but on this fall's roster with camp opening today he is listed as at 246.

That's a whopping weight gain. A big worry is that when he put on weight at Colorado Scott reportedly didn't add any power. Scott said during spring that he wanted to get his weight down to 225.