NEWARK — When he entered Boston College, Jason Scott said his ultimate goal was leaving with a degree.

He did that.

But, with two seasons of eligibility remaining as a football player, Scott said he wanted to see what else he could accomplish.

When the veteran safety started considering transferring to Delaware, he liked what he heard.

“When the (UD) coaches ... were saying they were going to use me and valued me as an athlete but also individually, it wasn’t too hard to cut my ties,” said Scott. “It feel like I got everything out of the school (BC) that was necessary.

“I have a lot of great moments but I don’t like to dwell on the past,” he said about his time at Boston College. “I’m only 22. I have hopefully, a lot of life ahead of me — and a lot more football ahead of me. I’m only thinking about the future.”

The Blue Hens are happy to give Scott a second chance at a fresh start. The 6-foot, 185-pound grad student is one of two Division I FBS transfers Delaware brought in to bolster its secondary.

The Hens also added cornerback Nate Evans from North Carolina State.
Scott played in 23 games in four seasons at Boston College, mostly on special teams. Delaware safeties coach Art Link said someone who spends significant time in a major-college program comes out of it a better player.

“It’s little things like pad level and how they finish on a guy running with the ball,” said Link. “It’s things like that that you can tell that they really have stressed the fundamentals at some of those levels. You can just see how it shows up in that older guy who has been doing it right. It’s ingrained in them.

“It shows up when they get here. And sometimes it’s impressive.”

Link said Scott is probably the Hens’ most versatile defensive back. He also said Boston College’s coaches told Delaware’s staff they hated to lose the youngster.

“He was like, ‘This guy’s phenomenal, we really don’t want him to leave,’” said Link. “He has a great coverage skillset. ...Even though he didn’t get as many on-the-field reps as a safety, you can see the maturity and you can see the time spent at that level as it translates to FCS.“

It didn’t hurt the Hens’ chances of landing Scott that one of his high school teammates, Nic Ware, already plays safety for Delaware. The two played together at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Md.

Ware is one of a handful experienced safeties that the Hens return, including J.T. Seay, Hasson Manning, Anthony Crenshaw and Alex Villas. Delaware also picked up Mysonne Pollard, a transfer from Monroe College.

Scott said Ware helped sell him on coming to UD.

“Once he was that I was entering the transfer portal, he was one of the first people that connected with me,” said Scott. “He was telling how great Delaware was. Once I got in contact with the coaches, everything that he was saying, was the exact same message the coaches were saying.

“I heard it from Nic first. Just that transparency from a player and a coach kind of drew me in, along with the geographical advantages. I’m close to home.”

In the classroom, Scott will be working towards a Masters in International Business. He’d like to work in financial planning some day.

For the moment, however, he’s believes he’s got the chance to make an impact for the Hens.

“Just having the opportunity to play, that’s always in anybody’s mind when you’re trying to go to a new school,” said Scott. “Obviously you just want to do whatever is necessary to get to the next level.

“I’m a fifth-year guy — I’m a little older than the rest of the team. I’m more in a leadership position, I’m a little bit more vocal. It just feels like I’m more of a factor in the team.”

Evans looking for a chance, too

Like Scott, Evans just wants the chance to get on the field, too.

He played in just six games in three seasons at N.C. State. The 6-foot, 190-pounder didn’t play at all last season.

“Of course it’d be frustrating,” said Evans. “Everybody wants to play. But my mom always taught me everything happens for a reason.

“Even though I didn’t play a lot, it was a great time for me to learn a lot, too,” he said about his time at N.C. State. “A lot of the mistakes that guys were making out there, I’m kind of just watching. If I ever get my opportunity here or at the next place, I’ll just make sure I’m keying in on those things and making sure I’m not making the same mistake they did.

“I feel good and I’m ready,” Evans added.

With the Hens, he joins some other former transfer cornerbacks, including Tyron Herring (Dartmouth) and A’Khoury Lyde (Wisconsin). Delaware cornerbacks coach Corico Wright said Evans definitely makes the Hens better at the position.

“Nate has an unbelievable spirit about him,” said Wright. “He is super, super talented.

“He’s learning how we do things. But they did a good job with him at N.C. State. He’s doing great.”

Evans, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, said he didn’t realize that Delaware is moving up to the FBS level after this season until he had already decided to transfer. He looks at it as a bonus.

“I’m definitely glad that we’re changing conferences,” he said. “Like I said, everything happens for a reason.”