LAVEY and former Derry U20 goalkeeper Jack Scullion is the latest GAA recruit to American Football after he signed as a kicker for college outfit Rutgers in New Jersey.
The 21-year-old’s signature was confirmed by the university’s social media accounts earlier today.
Scullion will be based in New Jersey where he will take up a scholarship after tying up with coach Tadhg Leader, who oversaw Charlie Smyth’s rapid progression from playing with Down to moving to the NFL with New Orleans Saints.
Jack Scullion had attended an open session held by Leader earlier this year, after which the coach posted a video of the Lavey man’s kicking to social media in early May.
That attracted the attention of Rutgers who invited him across and have now decided to sign Scullion on a minimum two-year scholarship that could possibly extend beyond that.
He will step into the shoes of Jude McAtamney, who hails from just nine miles away in Swatragh.
He left Rutgers in April after being signed to the NFL by the New York Giants.
McAtamney was Rutgers’ kicker in the Big Ten Conference in college football, going 12-for-16 on field goal attempts and setting a school record for touchbacks over his final two years.
Rutgers take part in the Big Ten Conference that includes the heavy hitters of College football.
Their home games can attract a full house of 52,500 fans and some of their away matches would be played in front of 80,000 people.
The fact that he has been signed straight to Rutgers streamlines a potential pathway to the NFL.
McAtamney’s journey had included a year in Division Two football before he was signed to Rutgers.
Scullion played for Derry U20s and was briefly part of the senior setup under Rory Gallagher.
While Lavey’s championship campaign in Derry begins on the weekend of August 4, Scullion’s first competitive game of American Football with Rutgers will be three-and-a-half weeks later as they host Howard University on August 29.