Training camp isright around the corner, and as always, there are several key storylines to keep an eye on at this point in the offseason.
Over the coming weeks, we'll highlight some of the more noteworthy ones set to play out at Jack Hammett Sports Complex as well as during the preseason.
Can Artavis Scott Break Through?
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin.
You can pretty much pencil that trio in atop the wide receiver depth chart.
Head Coach Anthony Lynn said as much during the offseason program, explaining how the battle among the talented, young wideouts behind them on the depth chart will be top of mind come training camp.
While there are plenty of young wideouts in the mix, including Dylan Cantrell, Geremy Davis, Justice Liggins and Andre Patton, all eyes will certainly be on Artavis Scott.
"We're definitely going to need someone to step up there after Travis (on the depth chart). You have Keenan, Mike, Travis and then Artavis and a bunch of guys that have been around one or two years, and then some young cats. I'm looking at that group…I thought Artavis was having a heck of an offseason for us last year before he got hurt," Lynn said. "He has picked up where he left off."
As Lynn noted, Scott flourished last year during training camp and in the preseason before suffering a leg injury in the final exhibition game that cost him the entire season. The former Clemson star still ranks as the prestigious school's all-time leader in career receptions, showing just how productive he can be when on the field. The Bolts thought he'd get that chance a year ago after the former undrafted free agent spent all of 2017 on the practice squad.
Thus, you can understand why they're eager to see him this summer.
Just listen to Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who also sang his praises throughout the offseason program.
"He's made plays (this offseason)," Whiz said. "I think the only thing with Artavis is just being available. We want to be able to put him in situations to be able to see if he can be successful because we're looking for those guys. When you lose a guy or two and you're trying to replace them, we feel like Artavis has the ability to do that, but we have to see him do it and that only comes from getting those reps. From the time that he's been in there, in the last week or so when he's been getting some reps, you see a lot of things you like. He has to continue to build off of that."
Scott certainly doesn't lack for motivation. After such a storied collegiate career, it's been as tough as you could imagine to remain on the sidelines.
While it’s been an emotional journey to this point, the wideout is determined to make it only one small chapter to what he hopes will be a lengthy, fruitful career.
