Over the last few months, we’ve been breaking down all undrafted free agents signed by the Jets. We continue today with former Wyoming running back Sam Scott.
The 23-year old Scott is listed at 6’1” and 213 pounds and rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns with 34 receptions over the last three years of his college career after having initially been a linebacker.
Background
Scott was a three-star linebacker prospect as a high schooler and headed to Wyoming, where he began his career as a backup
linebacker and special teamer. However, at the end of the year, they were low on bodies at the running back position, so he played there in the team’s bowl game, rushing for 11 yards on three carries.
They opted to continue the experiment and left him at running back for the next season and he rushed for 237 yards and two scores and caught 11 passes for 77 yards in his first full season in a rotational running back role.
In 2024, Scott only started three games but his 435 yards were enough to lead the team. He also had three rushing touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 74 yards and another touchdown. This included the first 100-yard rushing performance of his career on just 11 carries against Air Force.
Last season saw him open the year with a career-best 132 rushing yards in a 10-0 win over Akron. However, he would otherwise remain in a rotational role as he started four games in total. Although his rushing output reduced slightly, Scott set a career-high with 521 yards from scrimmage and scored three more touchdowns.
Scott was one of the first round of undrafted free agents signed by the Jets but his contract reportedly only includes $5K of guaranteed money.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Scott brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Scott may need to bulk up slightly but did manage to put up 20 bench press reps at his pro day and was reportedly over 220 pounds at one point in his college career.
In addition to the bench press, the rest of his workout was outstanding as he posted a 40.5-inch vertical, 134-inch broad jump and 6.83 three-cone drill. He also ran under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.
Usage
Scott is a conventional back who has almost exclusively produced when lined up in the backfield.
As noted, he practiced primarily as a linebacker in his first season, although he didn’t see action in that role with Wyoming. He had played both as a linebacker and running back in high school.
Running ability
Scott perhaps isn’t considered to have breakaway speed, as his longest run in college was only 43 yards. However, he did have 18 runs of 15 yards or more in his college career and displays good burst and acceleration.
He hits the hole hard and will fall forwards at the end of a run. He overpowered a smaller defensive back on this play.
Scott isn’t necessarily flashy and doesn’t break a ton of tackles but he can make some sharp cuts to elude defensive players.
His ball security was good, with just one fumble in his career, back in 2023.
Scott carried 29 times in one game, but this was the only time he had over 20 carries in a college game so he doesn’t have a lot of experience of handling a big workload. He rushed for 100 yards twice in his career, though.
Short yardage
Scott only had seven rushing touchdowns in his career, many of which were from further out, so didn’t get many chances to prove himself as a short yardage back. On this play, he got stopped in his tracks on 4th-and-1.
However, the team gave him the ball on a game-winning two-point attempt in a big win against Texas Tech.
Pass catching
Most of Scott’s passing game production came on short passes but he did show a few flashes of being able to make plays down the field. He even had a few contested catches.
Once he gets the ball in space, he can beat defensive players to get to the marker or, in this case, the goal line.
Scott has shown soft hands at times and his catch rate was 72 percent during his career, albeit that these were mostly short passes as noted above. He had two drops.
Blocking
Scott had some decent experience of staying in to pass protect at Wyoming and didn’t get beaten for a sack in his career.
At times, he was also employed as a lead blocker out of two back sets, usually on wide runs. He had one holding penalty downfield to negate a 3rd-and-long scramble.
Special Teams
Scott’s primary roles on special teams have been covering kicks and rushing punts. He also saw brief action on the field goal unit and the kick return unit.
In his career, he had four special teams tackles with his experience as a linebacker being useful in that regard.
Instincts/Intelligence
Scott’s past as a linebacker will have been useful to him as he made the full-time transition to offense. His coaching staff was said to be impressed with how he managed to learn the entire offense in just a month ahead of the bowl game at the end of his freshman season and he displays good vision as a runner.
He was an academic all-MWC selection in 2022.
Attitude
Scott has been praised for a team-first attitude, as he was willing to play any role to help the team. He is competitive and works hard in preparation for each game.
His on-field discipline was good as he had just two offensive penalties in his career, including none in 2024 or 2025.
Injuries
Scott had issues with a Lisfranc injury in 2024, which caused him to miss two games and lingered into the 2025 spring program. Ultimately, the injury was able to heal without the need for surgery.
Scheme Fit
Scott hasn’t displayed much versatility in the passing game yet, but the fact he tested so athletically might mean the team sees some untapped potential there. He should get plenty of touches in preseason if he stays healthy.
Conclusions
Scott’s background as a converted linebacker might seem unique, but if you read our last scouting report, you’ll know that the team’s other undrafted running back, Chip Trayanum, has a similar background. You’ll also be aware that Tyler Allgeier does too.
The fact that the Jets brought in two guys that fit this description probably isn’t a coincidence and maybe there is something specific that appeals to them about a running back with the natural toughness and physicality you can’t fail to develop while playing as a linebacker.
This sets up a nice competition between the two, with Scott being the better athlete but Trayanum having the better college production and, as a result, having more significant guarantees in his contract. That might give him the edge if it’s close between the two but if Scott can impress, perhaps the Jets will retain both.
