If you believe Lindsey Scott Jr. doesn’t have the size to be an elite college quarterback, it doesn’t bother him because his height is just a number to him.
If you remind him that he may end up sitting behind a few veterans for a year or more of his LSU career, it won’t bother him, either, because he’s more than happy to do that.
If you tell him he was the Tigers’ Plan C signal caller for the heralded 2016 class — again — that won’t bother him because he feels at home under the stately oaks.
In reality, the 5-foot-11 Zachary High School product embraces all of the things that might look like hindrances or negatives to outsiders with a calm, cool and collected presence. Naturally, the Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year took a “business” approach when deciding to remain in Baton Rouge and play for the purple and gold.
As his “older brother,” sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris, watched him sign on the dotted line Wednesday, Scott Jr. wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment. He said he gets that from his dad, Lindsey Scott Sr.
“Me and my dad share this trait where, sometimes, we’re excited on the inside, but our face doesn’t really show the magnitude of it,” Scott Jr. said with a laugh. “So, I’m excited.”
Scott Jr. describes himself as “normal kid,” but his career as a Bronco has been anything but average. He’s been a starter at 5A program since his sophomore year, leading Zachary to a 14-1 record in 2015 and its first state championship in school history. His accolades, which include back-to-back Class 5A Offensive MVP honors, seem endless, especially after he rushed and passed for more than 5,000 yards and 60 total touchdowns in his senior season.
Yet, Scott Jr. had offers from the likes of Syracuse, Tulane, Rutgers and Maryland before he received his offer from LSU on Jan. 19. For a 3.8 GPA student, an achievement urged by his parents, even Harvard was among his top four choices.
“Even when I was little, there were days where I couldn’t go outside until homework was done,” Scott Jr. said. “My dad told me when I was little, ‘If it’s not an A, it’s an F.’”
The knock on the once-Syracuse commit — his height — may have deterred many Power Five schools. However, LSU was left without many other options when long-time commit Feleipe Franks flipped and enrolled early at Florida and Dwayne Haskins ended his recruitment with a pledge to Ohio State.
Both Franks and Haskins stand well-over six feet, but what defines Scott Jr. is a undying competitive fire. According to Zachary coach David Brewerton, it’s unlike many people he’s ever seen. To his teammate, TCU offensive line signee Kellton Hollins, that competitive spirit is constant.
“If he says he’s going to do it, he’ll do it,” Hollins said. “If he says I’m going to beat you on this, he’ll beat you. Even in math class, he’s like that.”
Harris noticed that drive, too, offering kind words to the teary-eyed Scott Jr. when Parkway Baptist defeated Zachary, 49-34, in 2013 Class 5A quarterfinals.
“‘Don’t cry, dude,’” the then-senior Harris told the then-sophomore Scott Jr. after the game. “‘You’re going to do great things.’”
Out of that night two years ago, a kinship formed between the once-dueling quarterbacks. The two exchange texts, and Harris tried to attend all of Scott Jr.’s big games. It’s a relationship that made LSU an even better choice than it already was for the newest Tiger passer.
That passion that Harris and so many see can be directly related back to his father, who played at Southern and has coached Scott Jr. since he was six years old.
Sure, Scott Sr., an attorney, pushes his son on and off the football field, stressing to him the importance of his education because football doesn’t last forever.
But Scott Jr. doesn’t think his dad is strict. In fact, he considers him a friend, including a video game partner and a confidant. As the football-adoring Scott Sr. explains, it’s father and son time when they’re at the house, but it’s all business when it’s time to put in work.
His son’s personality resembles his mother’s, though, Scott Sr. said.
“I’m one of those guys, in the gym or out on the football field, I’m screaming and yelling,” he said. “He’s not that kind of person. He’s a real intrinsic kind of person, doesn’t get a lot into what’s popular. But that’s his strongest trait. His strongest trait is that his emotions don’t really jump to the forefront. He’s always thinking and calculating.
“That’s what makes him a quarterback.”
With Scott Jr.’s measured demeanor, even LSU coach Les Miles opined about a professional comparison to his future quarterback.
“It’ll be interesting to see what needs to be done, and what needs to be adjusted, and if in fact he’s a Russell Wilson,” Miles said.