Juice Scruggs lands on Rimington Trophy Watch List
In a week kicking off a series of preseason watch list candidates, Penn State’s offensive weapons have frequently been highlighted. Friday, with the announcement of the Rimington Trophy Watch List, the man tasked with getting the ball rolling, fifth-year senior Juice Scruggs, has been included among them.
Awarded annually to the top center in college football, Scruggs is among 40 candidates for the honor. Selected by the Rimington Trophy committee in cooperation with Pro Football Focus, the initial list is of the top 40 centers entering the 2022 season by grade.
The winner will be selected from the Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News, and Football Writers Association of America All-America teams, ultimately choosing the top vote-getting center. Penn State’s last and only Rimington Trophy winner was A.Q. Shipley, who won the award following the 2008 season.
Next steps for Juice Scruggs
Scruggs is coming off his second full season of action as a Nittany Lion as he enters the 2022 campaign. As a redshirt junior, he started every game, largely manning the right guard spot but also helping when needed at center.
Ahead of the Outback Bowl, however, that move was made permanent and held through the offseason. Now fitting as the offensive line’s anchor, the opportunity is one Scruggs’ offensive line teammates have rallied around.
“Juice is just a cornerstone. He’s just a really good guy to have in the room. A great leader. And he’s been working really hard this summer,” teammate Caedan Wallace said. “I don’t want to say he’s quiet. But he leads by example. If you have questions, he’s always there to answer them. And he’s just a great guy. He’s really reliable. And that’s why he’s a great leader.”
Bolstered by a personal story that includes a devastating car accident and back injury he needed 17 months to fully recover from, Scruggs’ presence goes beyond his on-field impact.
“I guess for for me, it’s not in the forefront. It’s always in the back of my head that he’s been through such crazy adversity,” Wallace added. “He wakes up every morning with a positive attitude, comes out, and he really embodies… I don’t know how to explain it. He embodies just resilience every day. It’s crazy.”
If the impressions of Scruggs’ defensive teammates this spring are any indication, he’ll also likely leave his mark on Penn State’s opponents this season. Fully embracing the role at center, at least one fellow Nittany Lion walked away understanding the potential in front of Scruggs for the 2022 season.
“Juice Scruggs is maybe the most impressive of all. Whatever it may be, run, pass, his hands, his footwork, it’s impressive,” said Tarburton. “The O-line as a whole has been very impressive. I’m very excited to see them work this year.”
Penn State preseason award watch lists (updating)
Sean Clifford – Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award
Keyvone Lee – Doak Walker Award
Chris Stoll – AFCA Good Works Team
Parker Washington – Biletnikoff Award
Mitchell Tinsley – Biletnikoff Award
Juice Scruggs – Rimington Trophy
