Interview: 3-Star 2022 Georgia OL Griffin Scroggs can Repeat but with Grayson in 2020
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
At the end of the 2019 high school football season, Georgia’s Buford squad was not only one of the best in state but in the nation. The Wolves overcame two losses posting a 13-win season that ended hoisting the 5A trophy. One of the reasons for Buford’s romp through the playoffs was the presence of their 6-4.5, 315-pound, right guard Griffin Scroggs. A year ago, the Wolves were a road-grading unit in the trenches with a talent running back corps that could take advantage of the wide gaping holes. In a rare feat, Scroggs may have a unique opportunity to go back-to-back this season, but with a different team. Taking on the same right guard role in 2020, but with the Grayson, the Rams are absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball. If a push through 7A Georgia competition comes together, the preseason MaxPreps’ nationally ranked No. 7 squad could be in line for the mythical high school football national championship.
In an RNG first-look, Scroggs sat down for an in-depth one on one going over his play on the field as a sophomore with a look at his offseason workouts and early recruiting process.
*Scroggs earned three-star recruiting status after this interview was conducted
Interview
Griffin, the Wolves were not a cute or fancy team a year ago, you guys were a shove it down your throat force on the field. How was the offensive line’s identity set to help produce 30 points per game on average against 5A Georgia defenses last season?
Our offensive line’s mentality was our main goal and that is to run the ball. We did not want to have to resort to throwing it. Our running back corps was so talented, there was no reason to throw the ball. Our mentality, take out anyone in our way and run it down their throat.
How has last season’s championship run help motivate you during offseason workouts?
Since I am at this new school, when I first got here, I was held to a higher standard. They expected that championship mentality out of me to help other people here accomplish that same goal. Winning that is holding me to a standard so we can do it again.
Playing right guard, the coaches put a lot of faith in your abilities in both the run and pass game, especially having you pull on power plays. When the 2019 season had ended what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
The best part of my game was run blocking. I had some troubles with pass blocking; that was my first year starting. What got me last year was the nerve factor on giving up a sack. With my run game, I put my all into it moving people out of the way the way I know I can. I had speed to get around the edge to get the block to create a whole for my running backs.
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your technique to prepare for the 2020 schedule?
Three times a week and on the weekend I am with my trainer Willie Anderson. We work on footwork, working on my pass pro, and working my weight down to 300. I am losing weight, I want to be at 300 or 295 pounds for the season. That is the goal, my trainer helping me with that. My one on ones are pretty good right now.
Where will we see you on the field this fall with Grayson?
When I first got to Grayson, that asked if I can snap. Of course, I said I would. At Buford, I had a short history of snapping. I said yes. During our first three weeks of our practice, I had been a center but two weeks ago I moved back to right guard. They swapped the right guard and I at those two positions.
What style of offense are you guys executing in 2020?
We are mostly in shotgun with a few under center plays. We will be a run heavy team this year.
How have you been preparing your body for the grind through strength and conditioning workouts?
Every day of the week I have been in the weight room working every moment that I can. When the virus was really bad, my brother and I would wake up at 5:00 a.m. to go to a local gym. We’d work out for two or three hours, do what we could to get extra lifts in for the season. I have been grinding in the weight room, doing weight sessions, working more on my legs more. My arms are past where they need to be, time to get my legs up; that is my goal.
Have you maxed out this offseason?
We had our last max week when we got out for COVID. My last squat max was at 415 and on bench I am at 365 to 375 pounds.
How are you guys looking with the opening kickoff nearing?
I think we are unbeatable. We have everything we need to be champions this season. At Buford, once we had that bond, I believed we would win state. At Grayson, we have everything. We have the perfect defensive line to stop the run and the DBs to stop the pass. Our new quarterback and receivers are great. I was the last offensive lineman needed to fill that hole; we have four returning starters from last season. I was that last part needed for that. We have the run and pass this season. Our run game is very good. We are probably the most talented team in Georgia.
Fantastic. Let’s talk recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Auburn, Miami, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Georgia Tech.
How many offers do you have?
Four (Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Kansas, and Wofford).
Did you get any visits in before the dead period began in March?
No, I had about 25 visits set to schools like Kansas, Louisville, and Duke… all those were set but COVID hit.
Once the campuses open back up, are there any trips you might take?
Yes. I plan on going back to Louisville and to see Kentucky, Kansas, another visit to Auburn, North Carolina, and N.C. State.
Griffin, I appreciate your time today and wish you and the team success this season until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Scroggs family; Griffin Scroggs at Auburn with Coach Malzahn and at Florida State