2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jordon Scott, DT, University of Oregon

• Name: Jordon Scott
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 311 lbs.
• Position: DT
• College: University of Oregon
• Twitter: @Fat_Mac34
• Instagram: @Fat_Mac34

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 graduated in 3 years with a degree in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Journalism. One of the biggest things that I was a part of outside of football was Art of the Athlete. It basically allowed athletes on campus to be creative without boundaries. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad in France on two separate occasions and learn about their art and culture.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
Being accountable. I’m a very reliable player with 44 career starts. I also hold myself to a high standard.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I see myself as a leader of the team. Three out of my four years at Oregon were spent as the captain and/or on the Leadership Council. I’m very likeable and approachable.

As far as my position, I played either nose guard or interior DL, my entire time in college. Very rarely was I used as a pass rusher on the outside. We played a true 3-4 scheme my freshman year. Yet, over the past couple years, we’ve played nearly every package possible. I’ve also been on special teams for field goal blocks and as the shield on punts.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
UCLA’s Demetric Felton was Mr. Everything playing RB and WR. He was a shifty guy that was hard to tackle.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Deommodore Lenoir is a very competitive corner that can cover. He has great ball skills.

Penei Sewell is a special talent that is guaranteed to be drafted high this year. Yet, we all knew that he was special when we first met him. As a freshman straight out of high school he would rarely ever lose any one-on-ones.

Troy Dye was the toughest football player that I’ve ever been around. He played injured and led the team in tackles. He was also one of our best leaders.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
When I was in high school, I was committed to playing for the Florida Gators. I was so dead set that I had bought a lot of their gear. Yet, as I called for my enrollment papers, I was told that my offer was pulled. Apparently, I was too heavy at 350 lbs.

That was hard telling my mom. I still remember her crying in the living room. I knew that I was still going to college, I just didn’t know where.

I opened my recruitment up again and started getting offers. Coach Taggart had taken over at Oregon and brought on Coach Leavitt as his defensive coordinator. Coach Leavitt had been following me since high school and had a good relationship with my high school coach. So, after getting my offer from Oregon, without even a visit, I committed.

It was quite a culture shock at first going from Florida to Oregon. I swear, it rained 120 days straight, every day when I first got there. It was a record-breaking year. I also never tried guacamole until I got to Oregon. I was used to southern comfort, fried foods. Yet, year by year, everything continued to grow on me. I started eating healthy and eventually got my weight down.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I’m most proud of graduating college. I promised my Grandma and Mom that I was going to make sure to get my degree, and I did.

Being named a Freshman All-American was one of my biggest achievements. Yet, my biggest accomplishment has to be bringing the Pac-12 Championship back to Oregon.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
We were playing Washington at home in 2018, and they were trying to convert a 4th and 1 in order to continue down the field to win the game. Their QB, Jake Browning, went for a sneak and I was able to shut him down.

Something that made that moment even more special is that my mom was there. Flights from Florida to Oregon aren’t cheap, and I was glad that I was able to get that win with her there.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
Lebron James is my favorite athlete of all-time. My favorite NFL player of all-time is Vince Wilfork. Some of the guys that I study in the league right now include guys like Aaron Donald, Dalvin Tomlinson, Kenny Clark, Grady Jarrett and Poona Ford.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
Kodak is my favorite music artist. I listen to his song “Boss My Life Up” before games.

What is your favorite comfort food?
My comfort food is when my Mom makes neck bones and rice with cabbage.

Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
Black Panther is my favorite movie. One of the TV shows that I like is Shameless. Jason Statham is one of my favorite actors.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
I love cooking. After my football career is over, I want to be a sports broadcaster.

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
The reason I play football is because I’ve been playing all my life since childhood. I’ve always liked being physical and hitting people, and football allows me to do that.

My Mom is my biggest motivation. She had 3 kids before the age of 21. Throughout her struggles and hardships, she came out great and was able to help raise us right.