On Saturday, approximately 7,000 fans at Jack Hammett Sports Complex got to see for themselves just how impressive the wide receiver has been as he stole the show to open training camp.
Scott elicited cheers from the crowd early and often, particularly with a pair of acrobatic catches for huge gains. The first was a deep pass down the right sideline from Cardale Jones that Scott secured as he hit the ground. The second was even more remarkable. Beating his defender, Scott rose high in the air to bring the ball into his chest, cradling it tight to his body as he fell to the turf.
"Artavis Scott is a baller!" beamed Keenan Allen. "He showed it today. He was ballin' again, just like he was in OTAs, and hopefully he can find a place on the team."
It was just another day at the office for Scott, the former Clemson star who spent all of 2017 on the team's practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent.
Proving to be a reliable target is nothing new for the 23-year-old who remains Clemson's all-time leader in career receptions (245). An All-ACC pick all three years he played, Scott also totaled 2,458 yards and 19 touchdowns in 43 career games with the Tigers. He set a school record by catching at least one pass in 38 straight games to finish his career.
Following such an accomplished college career, Scott doesn't mince words about how hard it was spending last season on the practice squad.
"It was one of the toughest things I had to do in my life," he admitted. "For me as a competitor, I love to play the game. That's why I'm here. That was tough to just sit there and watch, but I will say it definitely helped me. I feel like it helped me grow as a player to learn things I haven't seen before. I can see the development in myself from last year to this year."
Take a look through the best practice shots from opening day of Chargers Camp.
He's not the only one.
In fact, Philip Rivers offered high praise for Scott, who he said seems like a totally different player … and not just because he switched jersey numbers.
"Artavis, I guess I've always thought of him as a smaller receiver, but he plays really big," Rivers said. "He's a strong guy. Some people just change their number and they automatically look better, and I think he's one of those — not that he looked bad in 82, but in 10 it's right away. He's right out there and he's a better player. He looks better. Shoot, he got off to a good start today."
While Scott had a strong day, it was far from perfect. In fact, he refused to say it was even acceptable.
He was especially ticked off about allowing a pass to go through his hands and bounce off his facemask.
"I don't feel like it was a solid day," he said bluntly. There's a lot to correct. As players, we're going to go back in there and study what we have to, and I know I have some stuff to clean up. That (ball through my hands) pissed me off. But that's just getting the rust off. It's the first day, everybody's excited, but stuff like that (can't happen). I have to clean up the fundamentals and stand on my details."
At the same time, even though he was frustrated at moments, he was grateful to hear his teammates sing his praises on day one of camp. It only adds fuel to his fire as he aims to make the 53-man roster.
"Older veterans noticing you means a lot," he said. "It's definitely good having Keenan and Travis (Benjamin) and all the guys that've been around help me and get to know the system. And especially hearing that from Phil, that's good. That's going to keep me going each and every day."
Chargers Training Camp has kicked off! **Click here** for information on attending one of the several open practices between July 28 and August 23. To celebrate football being back, we're giving away two 2018 season tickets! **Click here** to enter for your chance to win.
