SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 ■ 23
Scott, who is relentless in the weight
room with his ability to run a 4.35-sec-
ond 40-yard dash while also boast-
ing a 375-pound power clean and a
550-pound squat, impressed Shirley
in that department over the years. But
now, he's turning the veteran defensive
lineman's head with his willingness to
speak up when it matters most — being
the one to keep his teammates in line
with the program's standard every day.
"It's been cool to see him get out of
his comfort zone. Guys talk in different
settings, but when you have to talk in
front of the team, that's nerve-wracking
for anybody," Shirley said. "It's cool to
see him grow up. It makes you proud.
It's just like your brother growing up,
and you're proud of him."
Scott is following the example
that was set in the No. 1
jersey over the past two
sea so n s. He c l ose ly
wa tc h e d h ow b o t h
defensive end Da-
vin Vann and line-
b a c k e r C a d e n
Fo rd h a m o p e r -
ated in the single-
digit, looking to
d raw f ro m h ow
they were able to
establish themselves
as leaders not just within
their position groups or
even their side of the
ball, but for the
entire roster.
