Interview: Scholarships are Rolling in for Helix 2017 FS/WR Scott Young

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Helix High School in La Mesa has been one of the more consistent teams in California in recent years. The Highlanders have strung together 30 wins over that three year period going 11-2 in 2015. With all of the winning and quality talent on the field, it was only a matter of time before Division-I coaches finally caught on to safety/wide receiver Scott “Scottie” Young.

Young has been a starter for the Highlanders since his freshman year season by season crafting his game into a next level talent. In 2014, Young started to take a bigger role with the team catching eight passes for 104 yards with a touchdown and even had one carry for 14 yards. On defense, teams in southern California started to learn quickly not to test the Highlanders’ free safety seeing him pick off two passes and show he was able to help stop the run with authority.

When the 2015 season had ended, Young’s game really started to come around coming up with 30 receptions for 392 yards with two touchdowns and had two kick returns for 50 yards. On defense he shinned again tallying 34 tackles with three passes defended, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted four passes returning the ball back 112 yards giving the offense great field position.

San Jose State and Colorado were the first to try to land the 6’0”, 190 pound, talent in 2015 but then the rest of college football started to follow suit. To date, Young has 11 scholarship offers waiting on him from teams like Arizona, Colorado State, Army, UNLV, Nevada, Citadel, Hawaii, Navy, and Washington State. More offers could come in with teams like Michigan, Vanderbilt, Indiana, and Notre Dame all showing various levels of interest.

Whichever program lands Young in the 2017 recruiting class will get an ever present playmaker who has great instincts and really likes to hit.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Young going over his skill sets on the gridiron, offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Scottie, when were you called up to the varsity level?

“Right before the pre-season scrimmage of my freshman year.”

Have you been starting for Helix the whole time?

“Yes.”

After all of those snaps on the field, what are some of your strengths as a safety?

“I think I am a physical player. I can slow the game down, read plays, and I’m good against the run game. I can improve at safety by being more of a pick threat instead of just hitting.”

Tell me a little bit about your cover skills as a safety.

“I feel like I can cover and go down to the nickel. One-high or two-high, hash to hash, or sideline to sideline I’m good at all of it. They like playing me in the nickel a lot.”

You got more time in at wide receiver last year. What are some of the things you do well lining up on the outside?

“Last year I did not have that much of a big role in the passing game. I block well and I have good hand eye coordination.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?

“Yes. I was first team All-CIF San Diego and All-League East County (safety).”

Will your role on offense or defense expand more in 2016?

“I think I will be one of the main guys on defense. My senior season will be my fourth year at the varsity level. I will be able to coach those younger guys on the field. On offense, I will have to step up. We lost our main senior (Nathen Stinson – 180/1,714/31). I will step up this year to take on that offensive role.”

What all are you working on this offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“This offseason I’m working on my weight. I have put on 12 pounds. I have dropped the baby fat. I want to get quicker and I’m working on catching the ball as a wide receiver and hitting as a defensive back.”

Different sites report different scholarship offer numbers. How many scholarships do you have right now?

“Eleven.”

Are any of the schools that have offered you pushing a little bit harder than the others?

“I would say it has been even between all of them. I feel like they are all showing me love. They are all, DM-ing me and I believe they all have been here by the school at least twice to see me.”

Are there any schools showing interest but have not offered yet?

“I feel like Indiana is one of those schools, they have been on me. I have a good relationship with Coach (Noah) Joseph (safeties and defensive recruiting coordinator). They have not offered a defensive back yet. Vanderbilt has been in touch with me too.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I have been to Notre Dame and Michigan.”

How did the Notre Dame visit go?

“It was cool. That was my second time going there. I went there last year. I like their campus.”

How did your trip to Michigan go?

“I really liked Michigan. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh is a cool guy. He is a people person and is really cool to be around. They are in a college town, makes it better.”

Do you have any unofficial visit coming up?

“Not as of right now. I don’t plan on taking any unofficial visits this offseason.”

Are you planning on going to any college camps this summer?

“So far I have only signed up for a Cal camp. That is the only one so far.”

With all the offers you have, have you set a timeline for yourself on when you would like to verbally commit?

“I think I will verbally commit after all of my visits, late in the season or after the season.”

When you make that final decision what will be some of the things that influence you most?

“I feel like it will come down to what is best for me, where I will be most comfortable, and where I can get a good education. I really just want to compete in college, play early, get a good education, and hopefully I can pursue my dream of playing in the NFL.”

Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 3.27 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I take the SAT in June.”

What do you want to major in once in college?

“There are a couple of things I have in mind but I’m not sure. I’m going to wait to make that decision.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math.”

What other sports do you play or have you played for Helix?

“My freshman year I ran track and my sophomore year I played basketball and ran track. I focused on football this offseason. Next year I’m planning on playing basketball again.”

Are you on a 7×7 team?

“Yes, I’m on B2G Five-Star.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Playing football at times can be a stress reliever, and it is fun. I love competing. I love the physicality of the game and I like hitting.”

Well said. Scottie, thanks for your time today and good luck with your SAT in June.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: eastcountysports.com; No. 19 Scott Young in action.

Photo credit: eastcountysports.com; No. 19 Scott Young gets another tackle.

Photo credit: Young family; Scott Young at Michigan with head coach Jim Harbaugh.