Tyler Scott Ready to Become Elite Big Ten Pass Rusher for Northwestern Wildcats


Tyler Scott

Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports

Senior Tyler Scott has made huge strides in his game during his career on the defensive line for the Northwestern Wildcats. His endless hard work has helped him become a better player each year and have been instrumental in Northwestern’s success in recent years and will culminate in 2013 with Scott breaking out as an elite pass rusher in the Big Ten.

Last season, Scott shared the conference lead with nine sacks and is the only player that finished in the top five of sacks in the Big Ten in 2012 to return in 2013. That makes him the reliable veteran in a pass-rushing landscape that is filled with high-potential players who might pan out to be the real deal. Meanwhile, Scott has put in the work to show he is the real deal and will have that work pay off in 2013.

Following his sophomore season when Scott recorded just two sacks, the defensive end focused his offseason work on improving his speed off the edge to become a better pass rusher. He succeeded in a major way, finding the quarterback nine times in 2012 with an additional three quarterback pressures and three forced fumbles. He will once again be the leading force in the Wildcats’ pass-rush in 2013 with the next highest sack total returning is linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo and his three sacks.

He will be helped out by a defensive line that will be better across the board. Northwestern will have a strong rotation, particularly at defensive end, with Dean Lowry, Deonte Gibson and Ifeadi Odenigbo all showing flashes of pass-rushing ability. That will force offenses to stay true in their blocking schemes and prevent them from doubling Scott on every pass play. Those one-on-one situations will be where the big, strong Scott will impose his will and wreak havoc in the backfield.

Scott’s upward trajectory throughout his collegiate career at Northwestern only point to big things for him in his senior season. Will 2013 be a breakout season for Scott and the Wildcats’ pass rush?

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