The recruiting process is still in the early stages for Brendan Scales, but the 2016 Missouri tight end already has one major offer and is receiving interest from other big-time programs.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo., picked up an offer from Illinois back in October.
“It was exciting because it was achieving a goal I’ve always had and getting closer to my dream,” Scales said of the offer from the Illini. “People tell you and you think you’ll feel like this, but once it happens, you know you can actually do it.”
He’s also receiving interest from schools like Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin among others. Notre Dame has also shown some interest with Irish assistant Bob Elliott making a stop by Lafayette earlier this fall. Scales and Elliott had the chance to catch up afterward.
“He said he liked a lot of my highlight film and the way I played,” Scales recalled. “He said if I get a good score on my ACT that I’ll have an offer from them.”
Scales isn’t too familiar with Notre Dame, but knows an offer from the Irish would be huge.
“I don’t know a whole bunch,” he said. “Obviously it’s a prestigious school. They’re playing LSU in a bowl game and obviously they’re a great program.
“That’d be crazy amazing. That would mean a lot to me. Any offer means a lot to me.”
Scales has been clocked in the 4.6-range in the 40-yard dash and college coaches like his size, speed and versatility.
“They like my athleticism, my size, the way I can catch,” said Scales. “They really like that I’ve played a lot of different positions this year.”
He took a few trips this fall to see some schools.
“I’ve been to Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin,” he said. “They were cool. I really liked the stadiums and the people. I like it everywhere. It’s just hard to grasp. I try to take it all in and I’ll see at the end what happens.”
Scales knows one factor that will be huge when it comes time for him to choose a college.
“I’d say for sure education,” he said. “Most kids who play college football have the aspiration to play in the NFL, but obviously there’s a big chance that won’t happen, so education is key.
“Obviously Notre Dame offers an incredible education, so that’s definitely important to me.”
