The Colorado Daily: Darrell Scott to Transfer

November 3rd

Darrell Scott to transfer

In a move which is hardly surprising—yet still hard to take—it was announced Tuesday that Darrell Scott will transfer. Scott, one of the most highly touted recruits in Colorado Buffaloes history, is leaving for “personal reasons”, and may transfer to UCLA, where his uncle, Josh Smith, transferred to this past spring.

Scott had only 95 yards rushing on the season, including 85 against Toledo. In the game against the Rockets, Scott set a school record for the most kickoff return yards in a game, posting 204 yards on eight returns.

Last season, Scott played in 11 games, totaling 343 yards. His career total of 438 yards puts him only up to 96th on the Colorado career charts—and less than half the yards of his fellow 2008 recruit, Rodney Stewart.

While no one can be completely surprised by the announcement. The rumor of Scott’s transfer has been commonplace on the Internet since his uncle, Josh Smith, announced his intention to leave Colorado this past spring. It is a disappointment.

I had held out hope that Scott would hang around until the end of the 2008 season, if for no other reason than to see who the new head coach was going to be. It would have been a boost for the new staff, and would have given Scott a fresh start.

Of course, the move also does not bode well for the future of Dan Hawkins. Scott was the only “trophy signing” for the program over the past four seasons. No other recruit has come close to the national prominence which Scott brought to the program on signing day, 2007.

If there is any consolation in Darrell Scott becoming the “Marcus Houston” of the Dan Hawkins’ era, it’s that it should assist Athletic Director Mike Bohn in his decision as to whether the present coaching staff should be retained.

Blue Out

There is a move about to wear blue to this weekend’s game against Texas A&M. The idea is to show support for the players and the team, but to indicate a lack of support for the present coaching staff. The Blue Out harkens back to the early 1980’s, when the Buffs, for three seasons, shifted to “Colorado sky blue” instead of the traditional black and gold.

The message; Colorado has sunk to a low not seen since the dark days of the Fairbanks’ era (which is actually true. Colorado, barring a five game winning streak—including a bowl win—will have a fourth straight losing season for only the second time in school history. The only other similar drought—six straight losing seasons between 1979-84).

I’ll be there this weekend. I dug out an old blue windbreaker from the hall closet—and it actually fits! I also have a blue CU hat, which has not survived the past quarter century as well, but I’ll have it on anyway!

CU this Saturday!