Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
It always seemed to be a star-crossed combination.
Former Colorado tailback Darrell Scott chose the Buffaloes over a group of other suitors, including Texas, Florida, USC, Michigan and Penn State. But he never reached his expectations in an association that ended up as a disappointment for him and the school.
Scott's career has been racked with injuries throughout his time with the Buffaloes. He had not seen action in the last two games as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery. He played in his previous three games where he was a kickoff returner and a backup for Rodney "Speedy" Stewart. Scott produced 9 yards in 10 carries in his last three games with Colorado, an average of 0.9 yards per carry.
I was always impressed with Scott's earnestness to fit in. After talking with him before the season, it seemed likely that he would be the key offensive player for a Colorado team that presumably could challenge in a watered-down North Division.
Instead, he was injured in a season-opening loss against Colorado State. He rebounded to rush for a career-best 85 yards and account for 204 kick return yards in a loss at Toledo in the next game, but he sustained a knee injury that hampered him the rest of the season.
Unfortunately for Scott and the Buffaloes, he was never able to match performances like that.
His freshman season featured similar disappointments. He arrived on campus out of shape in a season that was continually limited by injuries, including a severely sprained ankle. The media's preseason pick for Big 12 newcomer of the year produced only 343 yards rushing.
Scott told several Colorado newspapers he is hopeful of catching on at UCLA, where his uncle, Josh Smith, transferred earlier this spring.
It would give him a chance to be reunited and to spend time together with his family.
He will go down in history as Coach Dan Hawkins' top national recruit.
And his disappointments with the Buffaloes could be perhaps the biggest reason why Hawkins' program never achieved his aspirations after arriving from Boise State.
It always seemed to be a star-crossed combination.
Former Colorado tailback Darrell Scott chose the Buffaloes over a group of other suitors, including Texas, Florida, USC, Michigan and Penn State. But he never reached his expectations in an association that ended up as a disappointment for him and the school.
Scott's career has been racked with injuries throughout his time with the Buffaloes. He had not seen action in the last two games as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery. He played in his previous three games where he was a kickoff returner and a backup for Rodney "Speedy" Stewart. Scott produced 9 yards in 10 carries in his last three games with Colorado, an average of 0.9 yards per carry.
I was always impressed with Scott's earnestness to fit in. After talking with him before the season, it seemed likely that he would be the key offensive player for a Colorado team that presumably could challenge in a watered-down North Division.
Instead, he was injured in a season-opening loss against Colorado State. He rebounded to rush for a career-best 85 yards and account for 204 kick return yards in a loss at Toledo in the next game, but he sustained a knee injury that hampered him the rest of the season.
Unfortunately for Scott and the Buffaloes, he was never able to match performances like that.
His freshman season featured similar disappointments. He arrived on campus out of shape in a season that was continually limited by injuries, including a severely sprained ankle. The media's preseason pick for Big 12 newcomer of the year produced only 343 yards rushing.
Scott told several Colorado newspapers he is hopeful of catching on at UCLA, where his uncle, Josh Smith, transferred earlier this spring.
It would give him a chance to be reunited and to spend time together with his family.
He will go down in history as Coach Dan Hawkins' top national recruit.
And his disappointments with the Buffaloes could be perhaps the biggest reason why Hawkins' program never achieved his aspirations after arriving from Boise State.
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim Griffin
Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
