He’s 5-10.
That’s it. That’s the one and only question or reservation about former Incarnate Word QB Lindsey Scott Jr. as we approach late April’s NFL Draft. Scott has already been selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers with the second overall pick in the USFL Draft, but he has earned the right to harbor higher aspirations.
He can do that because of the Pinball Wizard numbers he put up in his just completed only season at UIW. Scott accounted for 71 total touchdowns (60 passing, 11 rushing) in leading the Cardinals to the FCS national semifinals, and later won the Walter Payton Award as the FCS offensive player of the year.
As someone who saw every snap of Scott’s 2022 season and also was present at 80 percent of his team’s practices, here’s my evaluation.
His arm is both explosive and accurate. The “muzzle velocity” of his throws as the ball comes off his hand is more than impressive, although he is also excellent at “feathering” his passes when necessary. He has a lightning delivery, aided by his ability to make quick and decisive reads. Scott takes great care of the football, throwing just eight interceptions in 453 passing attempts (1.8 percent) while completing 71 percent of his throws.
So to say he can “sling it” is an understatement. But remember that he also led the Southland Conference in rushing while playing for Nicholls in 2021. He runs a sub-4.6 forty and is very durable because of his body type and stellar conditioning. Scott may be considered “short” at the NFL level, but at 212 pounds (and he can carry more) he is by no means “small.” That guy is bricked, and his lower body is very powerful.
He’s tough to sack, because of his vision and his adept slide-steps in the pocket. He can also throw accurately on the run while rolling to either side of the field.
His leadership skills are unquestioned, as is the studious and even scholarly approach he takes to the game.
Yes, let’s state this. Some of these stats were rung up against inferior competition. But not all of them. Scott dismantled good defenses as well as he destroyed bad ones.
Keep in mind that Lindsey includes stops at LSU and Missouri on his college resume. Maturity matters in pro football. Scott will be 25 before the start of next season. He’s an adult, and a responsible one.
You want an NFL QB “comp”?
Russell Wilson. I mean the Russell Wilson we saw in Seattle for a decade, not the 2022 Denver confused mess version.
Wilson is 5-10, too. But that is by no means the only similarity between Wilson and Scott. Sure, there are NFL teams who may be willing to take a mid-to-late round draft “flyer” on Mr. Scott. Monday: My assessment of the top half-dozen QB prospects in the draft.
