Rams take Nick Scott Safety Penn St at 243

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nick-scott?id=32195343-4f52-4293-1bc4-f00e04d118db

NICK SCOTT
PENN STATE
S
5′ 11″
201 lbs

Player Bio
Scott was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania but played high school football in Massachusetts for his first two years and Virginia for the last two seasons. He was a dual-threat quarterback as a senior, causing Penn State coaches to start him out at running back in his redshirt freshman campaign in 2015 (13 games, one start, 30-133-4.4, one TD rushing; 4-43-10.8 receiving; 2-2, 46 yards, one TD passing). He also won the team’s most outstanding member of special teams that year (13-310-23.8 kick returns, eight tackles). Scott was a force on special teams in 2016, as well, making eight tackles and returning six kicks for 138 yards (23.0 average). He moved to safety in 2017 and was named a team captain (33 tackles, 1.5 for loss in 13 games with one start). His leadership abilities were recognized after a strong senior season, winning PSU’s Captain’s Award and a Sportsmanship Award from the Big Ten. He started 12 games in 2018, garnering honorable mention all-conference honors (65 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, four pass breakups, blocked kick).

Overview
Running back turned safety with eye-popping speed and explosion numbers to counter his limited amount of starts and production at Penn State. Scott is a plus athlete and fierce but erratic tackler whose recognition and technique vs. both the run and pass fall below NFL standards. He’s a developmental prospect who will need to play with much greater consistency to make a roster and find the field, but he could make a name for himself as a special teams specialist in time.

Strengths
Two-time captain and noted team leader
Ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash with 41-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump
Explosive burst in his lateral charge
Play demeanor is set on aggressive
Looking to close in and smack ball carriers
Unlocks hips and drives through target as tackler
Size and strength to match with tight ends
Very good special teams potential
Had 19 kick return attempts his first two seasons and can cover them

Weaknesses
Just one year of production
Weight back-loaded in his backpedal
Stalls in drive forward out of the top of his drop
Sticky hips hinder quickness to flip and run
Below-average awareness and instinct from high safety
Baited out of position by route stems
Inconsistent angles to the football and tackling mechanics
Needs better body control and balance in open field

SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Nicholas “Nick” Scott played two seasons at Brookline (Mass.) before transferring to Fairfax for his final two years, rushing for 1,582 yards as a do-everything offensive weapon. Recruited as a running back, he committed to Penn State over Boston College and Nebraska as part of James Franklin’s first recruiting class. He hoped to play offense at PSU, but one look at Saquon Barkley and he agreed to transition to safety, becoming a starter as a senior and leading the team with three interceptions. Scott aggressively attacks alleys and competes with admirable toughness downhill. He looks to calm his feet in his movements and plays with range, but his indecisive eyes and anticipation negate his closing burst, arriving late to the catch point (only five passes defended in his career). Overall, Scott is a top-tier athlete (and tested like one), but his lack of size and struggles locating the football downfield might be deal-breakers in the NFL.

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Looks like Scott’s a potential special teams standout. He was Penn State’s special teams’ captain, played on kickoff, punt, punt return teams. Was the gunner on punt. Also returned punts.

i like this pick. immediate impact on special teams.

Nick Scott seemed off the NFL’s radar, with one exception

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/football/nfl/penn-state-s-nick-scott-seemed-off-the-nfl-s/article_ac91b384-6ad4-11e9-8566-37b0930f5006.html

Nick Scott was watching the NFL scouting combine on television March 4, and wishing he was there, when his relationship with the Los Angeles Rams began.

Scott, a Penn State safety who grew up in Lancaster, was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida training for a shot at a pro career. After a workout, he went back to his hotel and turned the TV to NFL Network. Defensive backs, Scott’s peers, were testing at the combine.

Scott’s phone rang, an unfamiliar number. It was John Fassel, the Rams’ special teams coordinator.

“I’m here in Indy, sitting in the stands,’’ Fassel said. “I’ve got your highlights up, and I’m wondering why in the heck you’re not here.’’

Scott had been a foundational special teams player at Penn State, special teams captain in 2017 and defensive captain in 2018. But most media outlets that rate potential draftees didn’t even have a rating for him.

Fassel, and the Rams, were exceptions.

That March day, on the phone, Fassel told Scott, “I’m going to to everything I can to get you drafted for the Los Angeles Rams.’’

They chose Scott in the seventh round, with the 243rd pick.

When Fassel called this time, Scott said, “What’s up, coach? You kept your word. I appreciate it.’’

The Rams have nine safeties on their roster, including a veteran free agent, Eric Weddle, signed in March, and a second-round pick in this draft, Taylor Rapp.

Special teams appear to be Scott’s meal ticket for now.

“I do see myself as a safety first,’’ he said, “But I have a lot of experience, and a lot of passion, for special teams. It’s a phase of the game I’ve really grown to love.’’

as long as he contributes on special teams i’m ok with that.