Playing in a run-based offense, Neptune Beach Fletcher senior wide receiver Lamar Scruggs knows he has to make the most of things when the ball comes his way. So far, the 6-3, 212-pounder has made the most of his opportunities,helping to lead the Senators to a 7-0 record and an excellent shot at the Class 5A-District 2 championship.
This Thursday night, Fletcher hosts Robert E. Lee (6-1) in a game that will features athletes all over the field.
“Lee has a pretty good team,” Scruggs said. “It will be a good challenge for us.”
Scruggs is hoping to set his official visits very soon. Florida, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee and Illinois are the schools that Scruggs is considering for an official visit. He said LSU is still in the picture, as well as Louisville. Clemson, which fired head coach Tommy Bowden a couple of weeks ago, appears to be out of the running.
Earlier this fall, Scruggs made the trip to Gainesville for the Florida-Miami game and came away impressed.
“It was crazy,” Scruggs said. “The fans were wild. It was real live. I had been there also for junior day for basketball and that was a lot of fun too.”
Scruggs, who has a multitude of football offers, likes what Florida’s offense does in getting its wide receivers involved in things.
“Their wide receivers get a lot of balls (thrown to them),” he said. “They do a real good job with that.”
As of now, Scruggs said all of the schools that are among his top five are even. He plans to announce his official visits after Fletcher’s regular season. From there, Scruggs intends to wait until National Signing Day to announce his college choice.
Before he makes his college choice, there is the matter of finishing his senior season with a bang. It’s been a great season so far. Last week when Fletcher knocked off a tough Jacksonville Terry Parker team, 21-13, Scruggs had six receptions for 90 yards.
“It was crazy,” Scruggs said. “It was a good win for us. [Parker] has a good team. That Sam Barrington (one of the top linebackers for the Class of 2009 in Florida) is a heck of a player. He did a real good job.”
Whichever team lands Scruggs will get the total package. He has turned in a 40 time of 4.41 seconds in the 40 and he’s consistently turning in a 4.5. He also bench presses 275 pounds, enabling him to overpower opposing defensive backs.
When Scruggs get to college, he will follow in the footsteps of some of the great athletes that have come through Fletcher. Jeremy Hyatt (N.C. State) and Myron Anthony (Kentucky) were standouts on the hardwood for the Senators, while Andre Cooper (Florida State) is about to have his receiving records broken by Scruggs. The former Fletcher standouts have kept tabs on the newest standout at the school.
“They told me to stay in school and don’t get involved in the streets,” Scruggs said. “I always loved football. I didn’t think that I would get the chance to get this much out of something that I love. I want to make the most of every opportunity that I have.”