Tennessee has a need at running back in the 2020 recruiting cycle. The Vols already have one running back committed to them in their 2020 class, but they’ll likely take one or two more backs in this cycle. Over the weekend, UT’s coaches extended a scholarship offer to an impressive, under-the-radar running back out of Florida.
Marvin Scott III is a three-star running back who plays for Spruce Creek in Port Orange, Florida. He already holds a number of offers, and Tennessee gave him another one over the weekend.
EXTREMELY Blessed and Thanking God For Receiving A Full Scholarship Offer From The University Of Tennessee!!! ? #GoVols #PoweredByTheT pic.twitter.com/DN4M9XQqDb
— Marvin Scott III ⚡️ (@MS3_scott) May 4, 2019
According to 247Sports, Scott is rated as the No. 619 overall prospect and No. 46 running back in the 2020 class. Along with the offer from the Vols, Scott also holds offers from Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCF, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia among others. He just picked up an offer from Georgia Tech on Monday as well.
At 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, Scott is a compact runner who possesses some of the best strength pound-for-pound you’ll see on the football field. He participated in Nike’s The Opening regional camp in Orlando back in February, and he impressed those in attendance with his blend of power and technique.
“Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek 2020 running back Marvin Scott III was an absolute tank of a specimen, a battering ram with nimble feet, he’s quick and it showed in cat and mouse drills against linebackers,” wrote 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. “He was one of the more decisive and exciting runners in the competition portion. West Virginia and Wake Forest are among the programs to offer Scott who looked capable of playing anywhere in this setting.”
While at the regional camp, Scott ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash and a 4.38-second shuttle. He also recorded nearly a 37-inch vertical leap.
Back in March, Scott bench pressed 405 pounds:
405 Bench Press ?? pic.twitter.com/zpLieE8OSk
— Marvin Scott III ⚡️ (@MS3_scott) March 5, 2019
On film, everything that Wiltfong says holds true, and Scott is a very impressive and powerful runner.
The thing that stands out most about Scott on his highlight film is his inability to be tackled. He looks nearly impossible to bring down one-on-one, and it usually takes three or four hits before he actually goes to the ground. Scott keeps churning his legs and has incredible balance. He’ll lower his shoulder and plow through defenders, but he also has the footwork to just make guys miss, too. Scott can outrun high school players, but he probably won’t consistently breeze past defenders at the collegiate level. Still, he’s absolutely a battering ram who doesn’t look fun to try and tackle.
As a junior for Spruce Creek, Scott totaled 1,220 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games. He transferred to the 8A region with Spruce Creek after spending his first two years of high school in a much smaller region with Warner Christian Academy. His move up to the bigger region didn’t deter him, however, as he amassed those rushing statistics even after a minor ankle injury held him out to start the season.
In his ninth and 10th grade years at Warner Christian, Scott totaled 3,043 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns according to MaxPreps.
Tennessee currently has a commitment from one running back in their 2020 class. Three-star Ebony Jackson from Marietta, Georgia is the Vols’ lone running back commit thus far this cycle.
