When Havelock’s Derrell Scott checked his mail last week, it may as well have been Christmas morning. He received an invitation to attend the Under Armour All-American Combine.
Since the all-star game’s inception in 2008, Scott is the first athlete from Craven County to be selected.
Scott said he was humbled to be selected for the combine, which is basically a tryout to make one of the game’s two rosters. The game takes place Jan. 5 in Tampa, Fla.
"It’s crazy, I was excited when I opened it up and saw the invite," Scott said.
The junior is a top target of many storied and prestigious programs and already has about 20 scholarship offers.
The Under Armour All-American Game is the equivalent to the McDonald’s All-American Game in basketball.
"It’s a huge honor and I just give all the glory to God," Scott said.
Scott has rushed 63 times for 501 yards and 10 touchdowns through five games this season. At game’s end for Scott, stats are great, but this junior cares only about one thing — winning.
"That’s what it’s all about for me, the desire to win," Scott said. "I’m not a selfish player at all, and if we win and I don’t put up huge stats, then that’s fine with me."
Scott continues to receive bushels of letters from colleges, and faxes continue to spew out at Havelock High School directed to Scott.
"I’ve filled up one shoebox already and am about to start on another one," he said.
"They (colleges) send them to me at school and coach will give them to me and then I will go home and check the mail and there’s more."
Scott said he is fully aware of the gift that he has been given and puts in the work off the field as well.
"I just want to make it," he said. "I want to be able to give back to my family and take care of them because they have always been so supportive of me."
