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Why Scott stiffed Longhorns

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Darrell Scott, who is considered the nation's top high school running back, ended the recruiting drama that had gathered for months around his college choice. The decision to play for the Buffaloes did not come easily. Although Scott announced it Wednesday morning as part of national signing day, his choice had come a day and a half earlier during a grueling discussion at a dining room table in his family's town house in Oxnard, Calif. Scott focused on Texas. "I like the area," he said. "I like the atmosphere, the fans, everything. The coaching staff." But both mother and son also had concerns. On Jan. 9, the Texas running backs coach, Ken Rucker, became the team's director of high school relations and player development. He had 21 years of experience as a running backs coach in college. Three weeks before signing day, Major Applewhite was hired as the new assistant head coach and running backs coach. He had been Alabama's offensive coordinator. Although Scott had been recruited by Bobby Kennedy, the Texas wide receivers coach, he told his mother that the change of running backs coaches worried him. Kennedy said Texas would call more running plays out of the I-formation and that Scott could win the Heisman Trophy. Kennedy implored Scott to trust him and encouraged him to put his faith in his decision with God. When Scott eventually said he was no longer leaning toward Texas because of the coaching change, Kennedy said he was disappointed and baffled.

New York Times

Dan Hawkins, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Dan Hawkins, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
February 7, 2008  06:20 AM ET

I bet mommy made the decision for him.

February 7, 2008  08:01 AM ET

This kid made a mistake, I understand maybe if J. Charles was playing another year but it was his spot to take, good luck winning the Heisman with no offensive line playing for a 3rd tier team in a BCS conference full of solid run defenses.

February 7, 2008  08:13 AM ET

I'm a Longhorn fan and Scott would have been a great addition, but our offensive line is talented and have played a year with each other. Any decent running back should have a 1000 yd season and we have good (not great, yet)RBs already.

February 7, 2008  09:03 AM ET

"Kennedy implored Scott to trust him and encouraged him to put his faith in his decision with God." Maybe that is what he did and Texas lost out.

Stictly from a College football perspective, going to TX (instead of CU) would have been a no-brainer. Now he wont get the chance to play against USC in the National Championship game. Or any other team as far as that is concerned.

February 7, 2008  09:03 AM ET

Strictly

February 7, 2008  09:12 AM ET

Huge signing for Colorado. He's a superstar.

February 7, 2008  09:43 AM ET

This is a good move for Colorado. Obviously, family ties played a part here.

February 7, 2008  10:07 AM ET

ITS ABOUT TIME THE BUFFS GOT SOME REVENGE ON UT FOR THAT DRUBBING IN THE BIG 12 CHAMP. GAME. LOOKS LIKE HAWK AND THE GANG ARE FINALLY GETTING US BACK ON TRACK TOWARDS THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ONCE AGAIN. GO BUFFS!!!!

February 7, 2008  10:08 AM ET

ITS ABOUT TIME WE GOT SOME REVENGE ON UT! LOOKS LIKE HAWK AND THE GANG ARE FINALLY GETTING BACK ON TRACK TOWARDS THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT. HAWK HAS BEEN IN TEXAS THE LAST WEEK OR SO CHECKING OUT NEXT YEARS CROP OF TEXAS STUDS! GO BUFFS!!!

February 7, 2008  10:28 AM ET

LOUD NOISES

February 7, 2008  11:15 AM ET

Nathan's Braves, consider us even. Don't expect anything else.

February 7, 2008  11:32 AM ET

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!

February 7, 2008  11:35 AM ET

even, 70-7? Man, it was horrible sitting there with 67000 screaming UT fans. We got a long way to go.

February 7, 2008  11:50 AM ET

Oh well, I wish the kid the best. I just hope that he gets to play against the Horns this year and they shut him out completely. and by the way, it was 70-3 not 7.

February 7, 2008  11:52 AM ET

Worst decision of your life kid- Every year when TX whoops CU you can think 'what might have been'

February 7, 2008  11:58 AM ET

I look forward to that game as well =)

February 7, 2008  12:50 PM ET

...Scott ended up at Colorado because he's got a close relative (uncle, brother in law, who knows) now playing for the Buffalos...nothing more...nothing less...

February 7, 2008  02:00 PM ET

Yeah, CO is now even with TX? Ok. This Scott kid of course seems promising and I would have loved to have seen him at TX, but it is still one player. CO has a ways to go before winning the Big XII North, much less competing with TX or OU for the conf crown.

February 7, 2008  02:00 PM ET

I think his uncle will be a junior this fall. His best chance to shine against UT was this past year, with our talented-but-horrible defense. It won't be the same this year with an aggressive Def. Coordinator. Good luck, Scott.

 
February 7, 2008  02:33 PM ET

Scott wants to establish his own legacy rather than following in the footsteps of the all those great RBs out of Texas. Colorado has Chris Brown, Lamont Warren and Rahshaan Salaam, that's it.

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