Two torn ACLs in high school might have dissuaded programs from recruiting D’Andre Scruggs, but the former Columbus North wide receiver never wavered in his dream of playing college football.
Scruggs, a 2019 North graduate who spent last year as an assistant freshman coach for the Bull Dogs while studying at Ivy Tech, leaves July 20 for Indiana State, where he will be a preferred walk-on.
"He had two different knee issues, and he needed a year to recover," North coach Tim Bless said. "That was his plan all along — to take a gap year and go to school this year — and that plan is on track."
Scruggs tore the ACL in his left knee during Week 5 of his junior year at Terre Haute South and missed the rest of the season. He was primed to return for a big senior year, but re-tore the ACL during the Bull Dogs’ first summer practice on their grass practice field.
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This time, Scruggs opted to play with a torn ACL. He came back Week 4 at Guerin Catholic and led North with seven catches for 76 yards in that game. A week later, he caught a touchdown pass against Terre Haute North.
By the end of the season, Scruggs was an honorable mention All-Conference Indiana selection.
"I was contemplating not even playing," Scruggs said. "I just rehabbed (the knee) and tried to strengthen the areas around it to be able to play with a torn ACL. I tried to learn my weaknesses and learn what not to do — not to plant on my left leg. I felt good."
By playing his senior year, Scruggs knew he’d have to have surgery after the season. And he knew that meant likely having to sit out his first year of college if he wanted to play at the next level.
"That was my plan," Scruggs said. "I knew if I was going to play my senior year, I was going to have to be out a year with surgery. Just knowing that I needed to get back on the football field, I was focused the whole time. As soon as that surgery happened, I needed to get back to 100 percent and get back to playing again."
So Scruggs took classes at Ivy Tech, rehabbed at North and with Dr. Nathan Frasier, and worked out with younger brother, Jaxson, who was a sophomore wide receiver for the Bull Dogs.
Last fall, D’Andre was an assistant freshman football coach at North, working with the wide receivers and defensive backs.
"It was weird coaching and seeing those guys out there playing for North and just not being able to put that uniform back on again," Scruggs said. "But I’m glad I got that opportunity to play again."
That opportunity came from Indiana State coach Curt Mallory.
"I went to a game there and just liked everything about it, and as soon as I started coaching here, I knew it was going to be Indiana State," D’Andre said. "They found out that I was interested in playing again, and they reached out to coach Bless, and coach Bless helped me out and they offered me a preferred walk-on spot."
D’Andre will be one of 105 players to go to fall camp with the Sycamores. He plans to major in sports management. He will be a sophomore academically and a freshman athletically.
If he is redshirted, D’Andre will have four years of eligibility beginning in 2021.
"I believe I’ll be redshirted, and that gives me even more time to heal and get stronger and get used to the program," he said.
D’Andre said his strength and quickness is back to where it was before his injuries. He estimates he is running the 40-yard dash in the high-4.5-to-low-4.6 seconds range.
"I’m feeling good," he said. "I feel almost 100 percent. I feel a lot faster, and stronger. I’m coming out of my breaks faster now."
