Southern gentleman: Who is new Georgia commit Griffin Scroggs?

Georgia’s newest commit in the class of 2022, Griffin Scroggs of Grayson High School (GA), is as southern as it gets.

His roots helped Griffin connect with Georgia’s Athens campus. The ‘Classic City’ is nestled amongst the trees in a corner of northeast Georgia.

It was intriguing when Griffin was a Georgia Tech commit.

“I don’t think living in Atlanta would have been my type of things,” Griffin said. “I’m just not the guy that wants to live right by somebody every single day and hear all of the noise. I’m trying to be far away from the road. That’s the dream.”

Griffin was 5 years old when his family moved from Forsyth County to the Atlanta Metro area. The Scroggs family had acres for their children to roam. Griffin got to spend time around Clydesdale horses, lamas and tractors.

The four Scroggs brothers entertained themselves with the land and what was around them.

“That lifestyle has put the grit into me,” Griffin said.

Scroggs’ southern roots show

At a glance, Griffin’s persona oozes with his southern roots. The 6’3” 285-pound guard can be seen walking around in a cowboy hat, jeans and some sort of boots. If a guitar is placed in front of him, Griffin can run his fingers along the strings and create music.

His hair dangles from underneath his helmet or hat at all times.

In his headphones before games, the notes of Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, George Strait or Colton Wall’s hits, Christian music and a sprinkle of classical compositions calm the talented line anchor.

Griffin spends his time off from training, practice and school with a pole in a body of water waiting for a bite. The love of fishing is something Griffin and fellow Georgia commit Gunner Stockton share.

They’ve already begun planning hitting the best spots near Athens. The two were teammates on a national championship winning FBU in middle school.

Griffin grew up in the church. As a result, the responsibilities and obligations that come along with playing high level football, Griffin doesn’t miss church.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Scroggs family found a way to make sure they got their weekly worship in. Scroggs has gone to the same church since he was 2 years old.

“It (the church) means a lot,” Griffin said.

The church is an important piece of life for the Scroggs family. Members of the church knew of Griffin’s decommitment from Georgia Tech and commitment to Georgia before nearly anyone.

Griffin only told his family his final decision on Aug 1.

“Everyone there was just smiling,” Scroggs said. “I’ve already told them early where I’m going because they’re one of my biggest support groups. Everybody there was just so stoked. ‘Georgia royalty coming in,’. I thought that was pretty funny.”

Griffin Scroggs wears many hats off the field

According to his mother, Jackie Scroggs, Griffin cooks like a chef. He goes about the process of making a meal like he does preparing for a football game.

Jackie’s top ranked meal her youngest son makes is his seasoned burritos.

“These kids and the coaches line up,” Jackie said. “’Are you making burritos tonight?’ He fries the shells. He’s very meticulous. He has his own set of Cutco knives.”

The role of bodyguard is jokingly thrown around when Griffin walks with his mother in the mall.

“He’s a family protector,” Jackie said. “When we go to the mall, he’ll still hold my hand. The people at the kiosks all ask, ‘who is she? Why does she need a bodyguard?’. That’s just who he is.”

Family is important

Griffin is the youngest of four football playing brothers. The third oldest of the Scroggs brothers, Jack, plays linebacker at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The proximity between Spartanburg and Athens weighed in Griffin’s mind when making his decision. Now, the Scroggs family can make short trips to see both of their sons play college football.

“It’s been a dream of me and my brothers for a long time,” Griffin said. “Playing Saturday football with my brother in South Carolina, makes it easier on my family because you have to go through Athens to get there. It helps my family out. I think Matt Luke is a great coach and so is Kirby Smart. I think we have one of the best recruiting classes and I think we’re going to go win it all.”

Griffin’s other older brother lives in Athens and attends Georgia as a graduate student. For Jackie, it gives her piece of mind that her youngest son will be comfortable in his surroundings.

Jackie knows her son will be who he is wherever he decides to play college football.

“It takes me back to Forsyth County back when it wasn’t the massive subdivisions and it’s a small town,” Jackie said. “Its much more his personality and his style. Honestly, to me, it didn’t matter where he went. He could go downtown Atlanta, New York or Great Britain. No matter where he goes, he’s going to be who he is. He’s going to have his cowboy hat on, that big buckle, he’s going to have cowboy boots on and he’s going to have that country music blaring.”