Tyler Scott interview: WR describes ‘open, free’ combine meeting with Giants

Tyler Scott found himself playing Division I college football after scoring 27 touchdowns and rushing for 1,512 yards at Norton High School in Norton, Ohio. The problem was that the college football community didn’t seem to know Scott.

No recruiters from large programs showed up for his match. No college asked him to come to campus on a recruiting visit. There was no phone call or email to assess his interest. There were no offers.

There was silence. And frustration from Scott.

Norton was never a football hotbed. Scott’s coach, Kevin Pollock, was young, his first year at Norton, didn’t know the recruiting ropes, and didn’t have the high profile connections Scott deserved.

So Scott did it himself.

“I took matters into my own hands,” he said during an appearance on the podcast “Valentine’s Views.”

Scott produced a highlight film, set up an email address where he could be reached, researched online who to send the film and information to, and began sending emails to Division I’s college football office.

He sent his information to over a dozen schools. Rutgers was the first to respond, and while he was certainly excited, Scott didn’t jump on the offer.

“From there, it all snowballed,” said Scott. “I ended up getting quite a few offers and finally chose to go to Cincinnati.”

Pollock remembers Scott “doing a lot of recruiting myself.”

“All of that was a whirlwind for me,” Pollock said by phone recently. “He was the first player I coached and he did so well.

“The whole hiring process was completely new to me. I said I would do anything for him, but when it comes to knowledge, connections, etc. I felt sorry for him because he was

Scott attended the Cincinnati program and made it to the college football playoffs during his sophomore year.

“The crazy thing is I actually saw it. I saw that process start happening when I was hired and that’s why I ended up choosing Cincinnati.” Scott said.

“From the first day I was there [watching spring practice) I was like, man, this is just different’. The intensity. The way things ran.

“After that every place I went to I was comparing to Cincinnati and no one reached that level.”

Even after signing Parris Campbell in free agency and bringing back Darius Slayton, the Giants figure to use at least one of their 10 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft on a wide receiver. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Scott is a speedster who figures to be available on Day 2 and could fit the Giants, who are trying to upgrade a passing attack that produced the fewest explosive plays in the NFL in 2022.

Scott had a formal interview with the Giants at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

“The meeting went really well. Really loved the staff,” Scott said. “They’re different compared to a lot of different teams that I met with. Just as far as their energy that they bring.”

Scott said his meeting with the Giants was “more open, more free” than other meetings he had in Indianapolis.

“You could tell they all really gel with each other,” Scott said. “They were laughing, joking around with each other. It’s an interesting group, and you can tell Brian Daboll has changed that culture.

“I really liked them a lot. It went great.”

Speed is Scott’s calling card, and the 4.44 40-yard dash he posted at the Combine was a disappointment. Some thought Scott might threaten John Ross’s 4.22 combine record in the 40.

Scott said he is “definitely” faster than the time he posted in Indianapolis, and will run the 40 again at the Cincinnati Pro Day on Thursday, March 23 to try and show it.

“The combine is one big show. That’s TV time. TV time over the years has shown to be fairly inconsistent,” Scott said. “We’ll see what I get there [Pro Day]”

Scott made comparisons to slightly built but highly successful receivers like TY Hilton and Tyler Lockett.

“One of the things I notice is how familiar they are with the route,” says Scott. “It’s something I’m proud of and he’s one of the areas where I want to keep improving my game. That skill in being able to manipulate DB is something that TY Hilton and Tyler Lockett do very well.” I think you are.

“They just know how to open up, where they are and how to do it.”

Pollock isn’t surprised Scott is at the forefront of the NFL.

“Did we know for sure? No, it’s the NFL,” said Pollock. “He’s gotta be big, he’s gotta be strong, that’s the only thing. Athleticism, you guys already know he’s a freak.”

Pollock said it was Scott’s thirst for knowledge that could set him apart.

“In terms of his knowledge of football and his desire to know everything he can about the game, he will be on the same level, if not above, any of his opponents,” Pollock said. “He wants to know why. He wants to understand why every plan, every defense, every set-up sucks.”

“That’s what evens the field for him.”

Listen to the entire podcast below. Our interview with Scott begins at the 15:30 mark.

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