2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Gene Scott, TE, Monmouth University

• Name: Gene Scott
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 245 lbs
• Position: TE
• College: Monmouth University
• Twitter: @Scott5634G
• Instagram: @gene.Scott84

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
I am a Health Studies Major with a Minor in Marketing. Away from the classroom and field I love being a part of Team Impact where along with some other team members we work with children suffering with a variety of illnesses. We develop relationships with them and become a positive part of their healing process. In addition, I am a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society for student athletes. My experiences as a student have been exceptional at Monmouth. I have had many impactful teachers, stimulating classes and have gained irreplaceable relationships with friends, teammates and coaches.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates consistently say my best qualities are my leadership skills and work ethic. In everything I do, in the weightroom, conditioning, practice and on game day my effort is to the max anyone could give. My long established work ethic pushes me to compete with myself to constantly evolve to my best ability and also motivates my teammates which creates an environment that not only betters myself but everyone else around me too. This is where I believe my leadership comes into play. My work ethic feeds into my leadership as I lead by example. In leading by example I have made it easy for others to follow, and I am there to pick them up individually or as a whole team whenever needed.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
As a player, my role is to always take my coaches tasks and advice and not only apply it on the field but execute it above their expectations. But in my own point of view I am a tough, hard nose player that will do anything asked of him. I am physical in all blocking schemes whether it be the run or pass. In addition, I am a playmaker when the ball is put anywhere in my vicinity. I have the skill set to make big time catches in traffic, down field and over top. With the ball in my hand I have the ability to make people miss, stiff arm or run through them. Also my mentality everytime I get the ball is to make the guys trying to tackle me pay. With these skill sets I couldn’t think of any better position to play besides Tight End/ H-Back.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
I’ve played against a lot of great competition in college. If I had to choose individual players I’ve played against, the two that I think of off the top of my head are Ron’Dell Carter a James Madison defensive end and Dante Olsen a middle linebacker that played at Montana. Both of these guys were great players to compete with.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
This is very tough because I’ve played with a lot of great players at Monmouth. There are many guys who left their legacy at Monmouth and in the record books. Some of those players include Mike Basil, Alex Thompson, Reggie White Jr. and Kenji Bahar, but the one who impresses me the most is Pete Guerriero. His speed is unmatched. His ability to hit a hole, cut or move and take off is something I haven’t seen from another player on my team or one we have played against.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
Within the game of football I have been challenged in many ways. My biggest struggle is the transition to Tight End. I was a quarterback and linebacker growing up my whole life. Going into my Junior year of high school I was told I wouldn’t be seeing the field as a quarterback and was introduced to the idea of Tight End, a position I was foreign to and something my body physically wasn’t ready for. I adapted to the change both physically and mentally to prepare for the job and became the starting Tight End as a junior. I have thanked Coach Dan Curcione who was my high school head coach for seeing what I was meant to be because it worked out perfectly. Coach along with the rest of the Wall coaching staff formed me into a better athlete and gave me the opportunity to get to Monmouth where Coach Gallo has continued to craft me into the Tight End/ H-Back that I am today. Even though at the time that seemed like a struggle, it has continued to teach me that I can tackle any change thrown my way and to trust the plan.

Currently, a struggle in my life is something a little deeper for my family and I. About a year and a half ago my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. He’s been through misdiagnoses, surgeries, and then Sloan Memorial continues to factor in COVID-19 in his treatment plan. Nevertheless, he continues to fight and be a warrior. It hit me hard when I originally found out, although he is strong, and the way he holds himself as he continues to fight is one of the main ways I’ve overcome this struggle. Knowing he wants me to focus on my dream drives me even harder. His type of lymphoma cancer cannot be cured, but it can be treated and as he continues to live his best life he continues to make me proud to be his son. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
Since the time I could play sports I’ve always been a three sport athlete. I grew up as a football, basketball and baseball player, where on weekends I’d play 6 baseball games in a tournament, 6 basketball games and a football game. I continued my three sport career all the way through high school. I would choose basketball first if I didn’t play football. I actually almost came out of high school to play college basketball but I am forever grateful I made the choice to play football. After basketball, I would play baseball and after that I would pick up any sport possible because I am too competitive to not be playing.  

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What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I am most proud to come from the family that I do and to have their support. I have 2 brothers and a sister but also an extremely strong and supportive extended family. After that, I am proud and feel my biggest achievement is the position I am in today. I am now a full scholarship athlete after coming into Monmouth as a preferred walk-on. I took a chance on myself for something I believed and knew was right for me. I couldn’t be happier for the journey I’ve been on at Monmouth, but as nice as it would have been walking into class my first day on a full ride, I feel that it has shown character to prove and accomplish what I know I can be. My limits have not been reached and I will continue to achieve them all.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
The most memorable play of my collegiate career so far would be my first collegiate touchdown which also happened to be my first career catch. It happened my sophomore year for a go ahead score against Bucknell which would keep the lead and go on to win the game. But the most memorable experience on the team is winning the Conference Championship my junior year.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
In all sports, I am a fan of New York teams. The Giants, Yankees, Knicks and Rangers are my teams of choice. I grew up with Lawrence Taylor being my favorite athlete. I wore #56 playing quarterback and middle linebacker my whole pop warner career until I was no longer allowed to in high school. I idolize the hard hits and quickness of Taylor on the field, and when I was younger, I used his highlights as motivation. Today after being a Tight End for some years now, my favorite athlete is George Kittle. I feel like my game is very similar to his. He is killer in the run game and can make plays in the pass game.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
I cannot say I have a favorite music artist. I am very open into what I listen to for music anytime besides before a game. I’ll listen to all genres; however, hip-hop, country, pop, rap and older rock are the ones I prefer. For games, my music choice is very different as I get into hard rock or some would even say metal. Between the lyrics and sound of the song, my body just goes into a different state where I’m ready to run through a brick wall.  

What is your favorite comfort food?
My favorite comfort food, although I joke with my Mom often that she’s not too good of a cook, would be her enchiladas. I’d travel hours to get back home if it was enchilada night.

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
I’m not great with knowing actors nor do I really have a favorite actor but I do enjoy pretty much everything Denzel Washington is in. But my favorite movie is definitely The Blindside.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
My spare time is first spent with my family. Besides that I choose to spend my spare time training more, hanging with friends and fishing. I’d say my hobby is fishing and tying my own lures/rigs as I like to fish and boat when I can with my Dad or friends.

Who or what motivates you the most?
There are two things that motivate me the most. The first is both my parents. From the time I could play sports they sacrificed countless hours getting me to every practice, training and game I had. They put their whole life into giving me mine. I am motivated to one day pay them back for everything they’ve given my siblings and me as I know it was everything they had and more. They set examples that doing everything the right way and putting in your all will lead to good things. That’s where my motivation comes from. The second thing that motivates me is myself. I have the mindset and mentality where everything I do I aim for perfection. I am someone who challenges myself to be better than everyone else and most importantly be better than myself or be better than I was the last time.