Rock Hill’s Scott signs with New Mexico State
IFootball has taken Rock Hill’s Jaleel Scott all over the country to locales he never would have imagined visiting, let alone living in.
New Mexico will be the latest stop on his nationwide tour; the former Rock Hill High Bearcat was one of seven signees to join the New Mexico State football program this week.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to get a scholarship, a full ride to showcase my talent,” Scott said Wednesday. “Hard work pays off.”
A 6-foot-6, 212-pound wide receiver, Scott links up with the Aggies after two years at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. Scott was a first team All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference selection this fall after catching 45 passes for 668 yards and nine touchdowns.
Scott had recruiting interest and offers from Buffalo, Utah State and Mississippi State. A visit to New Mexico State Nov. 14 clinched the deal.
“I enjoyed it, I loved it. Every bit of it,” said Scott. “They showed me a great time and I felt like the coach was on the same page as me.”
That means throwing the ball, something New Mexico State did about 38 times per game this past season. Scott sees himself as the team’s deep-ball threat and jump-ball guy, a niche he filled as a standout at Rock Hill High under Joe Montgomery a couple years ago.
Scott’s junior college highlights:
The junior college experience was invaluable. But Scott won’t miss the frigid cold of the Iowa plains, as he heads to a school perched on the Texas and Mexican borders.
“I liked it a lot. The weather was beautiful,” he said. “It’s never cold. Me being in Iowa - it’s so cold 24/7 - so to get to a place that’s warm and nice, I liked that a lot.”
Scott, who graduated from Ellsworth this month with an associate’s degree, should benefit from a mid-year enrollment at New Mexico State.
“All are outstanding young men and students, and their impact on the field will be felt immediately,” said Aggies coach Martin. “Having them here for the spring semester and spring football practice is huge for us and addresses some of our most immediate needs in the 2016 recruiting class.”
I’m only one step (away). I’m trying to do everything in my ability in my offseason to be able to get to my dream.
Rock Hill’s Jaleel Scott is now just two years away from a college degree
and one step away from professional footballNew Mexico State plays in the Sun Belt Conference. Scott could get to play games in the next two years in Atlanta (Georgia State) and Boone, N.C. (Appalachian State). But it’s next year’s season opener at Kentucky that Scott has circled.
“They recruited me out of high school heavily,” said Scott. “I’m just pretty excited to go against them to showcase what they missed out on. That’s my whole focus in the offseason.”
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s Scott signs with New Mexico State."