East Coast to West Coast: Scott Signs as a Free Agent with the San Francisco 49ers

Frostburg State University Football and New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standout Niles Scott signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers on April 28, the final day of the 2018 NFL draft. He goes to training camp on May 4-6 and then goes back May 11-13.

Scott is the first Frostburg football player to sign an undrafted free agent contract in the NFL since Kevin Culbert signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2006.

“It did not sink in,” Scott said until he had signed his name. He described the moment as surreal and an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction, as it was “something you’ve wanted and worked for since you were a little kid.”

Frostburg Football Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald said the coaching staff knew Scott was special when watching his high school film in the winter of 2014.

“We could see Niles’ size and the speed, power, and explosiveness that he had. Our staff immediately knew he was different,” Fitzgerald explained. Scott then became one of the top defensive linemen in the country.

At over 300 pounds, Scott clocks in with a 40-yard dash under five seconds. The Elkton native racked up the accolades during his four years playing at Frostburg State. He was a two-time captain for the Bobcats and finished third in program history in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss. Scott also garnered D3Football.com All-East Region Defensive Player of the Year, First Team D3Football.com All-East Region, and D3Football.com All-America Second Team honors. He also was awarded AP Little America First-Team. The First Team All-NJAC defensive tackle concluded his senior season second in the NJAC in sacks per game (.77) and sixth in tackles for loss per game (1.3).

In January, Scott played in the 2018 SPIRL Tropical Bowl as one of three Division III players invited to the Division I level all-star game. In March, Scott participated in an NFL Pro Day at Temple University.

As Scott moves on to train at the professional level, Fitzgerald believes he leaves big shoes to fill for current and future Frostburg football players.

Scott noted that he constantly had to play at his “A game” as he traveled to play for training and workouts. Because Frostburg State is not as well-known as other institutions, Scott said he always put his “best product out there.” He wanted to make people “wonder where Frostburg State University was.” Fitzgerald credits Scott’s speed, power, and explosiveness as something that set him apart from others on the football field.

Scott credits Frostburg for instilling the values of punctuality and accountability in him both on and off the field. He said that it is important to give one hundred percent in “whatever class, practice, or drill” and to not “focus on anything else.” Fitzgerald acknowledges Scott’s loyalty and ability to remain humble. He hopes that his players can take that away from Scott, along with his work ethic to constantly improve himself both on and off the field.

“Give your 100 percent and devote your life to perfect your craft and anything is possible,” is what Scott would say to any athletes chasing their dreams. It is waking up each day to improve yourself and get better. Improving 2 percent each day is what Fitzgerald says makes for a memorable junior and senior Football season.

Beating statistics, Scott is now in a position for teammates, other athletes, and young kids to look up to and say “wow, he made it.” Scott emphasized that signing his contract was, “not for me, but a stepping stone for everyone else.”

Now that he has achieved the goal of signing a professional contract, Scott continues to set high standards for himself. He hopes to play at a serious level and remain focused while having fun because that is ultimately why he plays the sport he does. He then aims to make a 50-man roster and to continue to break down doors as he has already done. Scott says that he aspires to “be that guy to set it all off.”

“Our coaching staff is extremely proud of Niles and his accomplishments. Each year 1.1 million young men play high school football, only 1,700 get to play in the NFL. This is big deal for Frostburg State University, the Frostburg Football program and the Scott Family,” Fitzgerald said.