Is Jesse Scroggins firm to USC?

One of the biggest names of this recruiting class has already come and gone. Or has he? Since his commitment to the Southern Cal Trojans a few weeks back, Jesse Scroggins has been very quiet about his recruitment and where things stand. That is usually the case once someone makes a commitment, but in the case of Scroggins, there have been rumors flying around that he is not solid to Pete Carroll and he is still mulling over the possibility of a visit and maybe even considering making Knoxville his college destination.

Seeing as how Scroggins has been pretty hard to track down due to a busy schedule over the past few months, it seemed like a stretch that he would be “around” to answer a question such as this but he responded to an email and a text by saying, “I will call you because I want it to be clear that I am a USC commit and I will stay that way.” You can never say never, but at this point, whoever is behind the rumors is grasping at something that just isn’t there anymore.

Tennessee fans have seen numerous quarterbacks go one way or another so far in this recruiting cycle, every way except to UT. Scroggins was perhaps the most sought after by the staff and probably the one that the fans wanted the most as well. Ironically, he may have been the quarterback that had the best chance of winding up in Knoxville due to his family connections and his familiarity with Coach Kiffin. As of now, it doesn’t sound like he will be visiting Knoxville. “I will not be making any visits at this point. That could change but I highly doubt that is the case.”

The staff has some new targets now including San Diego State commit, Tyler Bray and Vancouver, Washington, Heritage High School’s Garrett Grayson. Grayson is an under the radar type who has startling athletic ability and a very strong arm.

As far as Jesse Scroggins goes, the best idea for Vol fans is to just move on as it seems he is set in his decision. Despite all of the rumors that have him with one foot out of California on his way to Tennessee, Scroggins insists that the news is simply what it is referred to as, a rumor. “I’m not sure where that came from but it isn’t true. While I respect the staff, the program and the community around UT, I truly feel that SC is the place for me and that is why I chose to commit to SC when I did. It felt right and it still does.”

While Scroggins and a host of other quarterbacks have chosen other programs this year instead of Tennessee, it won’t be long until the staff gets their man. There is plenty of time left and as we all know, things can change in about two minutes, so by my count, that leaves about ten-thousand changes between now and signing day. Getting Bray to switch his commitment will be a huge accomplishment if the staff is able to do so. That will be an easier task than swaying Scroggins away from SC, so that may be the best course for Tennessee to take.

For now, this news is what it is. It won’t make many happy but it should be a definitive answer to those who are still holding out hope for Scroggins to change his mind and head east. The fact that he responded in a timely manner and did so with the tone he used, make me sure that he is not pleased with the latest rumor. It looks like there are no legs to this rumor and no reason to believe otherwise.

Tagged as: Jesse Scroggins