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Jesse Scroggins has signed a letter of intent with the Arizona Wildcats six months after transferring from the USC Trojans. Scroggins plans on enrolling in time to start spring practice and should compete to take over the starting quarterback position from departing senior Matt Scott. Scroggins still has two years of eligibility remaining in the NCAA.
Scroggins came to USC as one of the top-rated quarterback prospects in 2010, but he struggled to find his game with the Trojans. After red-shirting, an injury slowed Scroggins down in the 2011 preseason and he slipped behind Max Wittek and Cody Kessler, who were both true freshman at the time. All were fighting to succeed Matt Barkley in 2013, and it looks like Wittek has the inside track on that now.
Scroggins was also dealing with a lot of academic issues earlier this year and was forced to concentrate his energy on improving his studies. Add in the recruitment of highly touted quarterback prospect Max Browne, and Scroggins leaving the school didn’t come as a shock to many.
Scroggins attended El Camino Junior College this season and played in eight games. During his time there, he threw for 1,148 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he isn’t the prototypical mobile quarterback that Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez usually likes running his offense. Rodriguez, however, is excited to have Scroggins and likes his arm strength as well as his ability to make all the throws.
Despite the transfer, there are still no guarantees Scroggins will be the starter in 2013. Backup senior B.J. Denker, walk-on Nick Isham, and recruit Anu Solomon will all be competing for the position. It should be quite the competition this spring.
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