'I'm happy I didn't pick the other schools': Why 2024 CB Aaron Scott is ready to join Ohio State football

Aaron Scott is happy with the decision he made.

Standing on the practice field next to Springfield High’s football field before the start of his senior season, the four-star cornerback looked back, admitting that his decision between Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon did not come until two days before he announced his commitment.

But as he looked back now as a member of Ohio State's 2024 class, Scott knows he couldn't have made another decision.

“I’m happy I didn’t pick the other schools,” Scott told The Dispatch. “That was the best decision I’ve made in my life.”

Now, Scott, the top 2024 Ohio prospect per 247Sports' composite rankings, is all about looking ahead, preparing for his final campaign with Springfield: a team that has ended each of its past two seasons in the Division 1 state championship game.

Aaron Scott prepares for transition to Ohio State football

Transition does remain at the back of Scott’s mind as he prepares to enroll at Ohio State in January, shifting his mindset on the practice field and approaching each rep as a defensive back would at the next level.

“I know how their practices (are),” Scott said. “Go hard, make it easy now because college is going to be harder. So start good habits now, so then good habits will follow in college.”

Maurice Douglass Sr. knows Scott is ready for that transition.

Even as Scott learned how to play cornerback after moving from quarterback as a sophomore, Douglass said his and cornerbacks coach Derrick Atterberry’s development along with practicing against future Division I wide receivers helped Scott turn into the top prospect in the state and one of the best-rated defensive backs in the country.

“Because of the way we practice and the guys that he’s been able to go against,” Douglass said, “because we have (a) pretty good wide receiver corps — a lot of guys that will go on to play at the next level now — I think that’ll help him out a lot."

Last season, Scott recorded 21 tackles for the Wildcats with three tackles-for-loss and five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.

Heading into senior season, Scott is continuing to learn the mental side of what it means to be a cornerback. Knowing the competition is going to be heightened at the next level, Scott said he’s working on his “short-term memory as a DB,” knowing that there will be “bad plays” and reps when he gets to Ohio State.

But Ohio State cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, Scott said, has high expectations for him, calling on the Buckeye commit to “dominate the competition" as a senior cornerback, knowing “the next level is going to be even more crazy.”

Even with the reputation of being an Ohio State commit, Scott doesn’t see his mindset shifting at the line of scrimmage.

“When I line up against a receiver, my thought process is if you win, your family (is) going to eat, if I win, my family (is) going to eat,” Scott said. “I’m going to make sure my family’s going to eat, for sure.”

Aaron Scott: 'I definitely made a name for myself'

For Scott, it’s “go time.”

His expectations are high not only for his final season at Springfield, but for his first season at Ohio State in 2024, talking with fellow commits Bryce West and Miles Lockhart nearly daily, while picturing himself and West as the "two Ohio guys that start freshman season."

But when it comes to his legacy ay Springfield, Scott views himself as part of a collegiate pipeline.

“At my school, we’ve had a lot of players come through, so I don’t really think about a legacy,” Scott said. “But I feel I definitely made a name for myself. I just feel I’m helping the next generation so they can do the same thing as me, if not better.”

With one more season to go, starting with a 27-21 win against St. Ignatius, Douglass already senses Scott’s confidence, something that has been cultivated over the course of his high school career.

Heading into Scott’s final season, Douglass said he sees a player who believes what the recruiting rankings say about him, even as he continues to be a leader for his teammates.

“When he’s interacting with people … he realizes it then,” Douglass said. “He is the No. 1 prospect in Ohio and he is a very, very key part of the recruitment for Ohio State.”

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

 cgay@dispatch.com 

@_ColinGay

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football recruiting: Why 2024 CB Aaron Scott is ready to join OSU