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Coach Larry Scott, head football coach at Howard University, is not only focused on building a strong team but also a legacy rooted in excellence, intelligence, and purpose. As Howard prepares for its highly anticipated matchup against Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the 2025 Denny’s Orange Blossom Classic (OBC), Coach Scott’s leadership is front and center. With deep respect for HBCU tradition and an unwavering commitment to player development, Scott is laying the groundwork for a championship season.
NFL Linebacker Zach Morton sat down exclusively with Coach Scott to discuss spring ball, team development, standout players, and the significance of the upcoming Orange Blossom Classic matchup against FAMU, Labor Day Weekend in Miami Gardens.
Zach Morton: You’re in the thick of spring ball. What does a typical spring week look like for your program?
Coach Scott: For the first time this year, we’ve been able to structure our spring similar to traditional programs. We get 15 practices, five of which are part of the acclimation period before full contact. Our focus is on skill development, technique, and toughness. Spring ball is less about scheming and more about how to play the game the right way. We work on football intelligence and fundamentals—things like blocking, tackling, leveraging gaps, understanding spacing, and so forth.
Morton: That football IQ sounds like a major pillar of your program. Can you expand on that?
Scott: Absolutely. We begin building that foundation in January with meetings—not to install plays but to discuss football concepts at a high level. We want our guys to understand the game deeply, so when they transition to the field, they can adapt to any system. We pride ourselves on having intelligent athletes who can process the game at an elite level. That’s our edge.
Morton: How do you transition from classroom to the field?
Scott: Once we hit March and get to the field, it becomes about translating knowledge into action—body position, alignment, technique. We emphasize the “how” just as much as the “what.” We also teach situational awareness: how to operate the offense and defense, transition off the field, and establish a style of play that reflects our identity when people watch the tape.
Morton: Let’s shift to expectations. What are you looking to improve on from last season?
Scott: Our focus is consistency in execution and discipline. We’ve made strides, but there’s always room for improvement. We need to tighten up in critical moments and close out games. Our program is built on mastering the basics, and that shows up in the big moments.
Morton: The Orange Blossom Classic is a big deal. Can you talk about the significance of that game for Howard?
Scott: The OBC is historic. Howard played in the very first Classic in 1933 against FAMU, and now here we are, almost 100 years later, reigniting that legacy. We also faced them in the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl in a tight contest where Howard fell short. This year’s game is more than a season opener—it’s a cultural moment and a chance to honor our history while making a statement about who we are today.
Morton: Who are some of the standout players fans should watch for this season?
Scott: We’ve got several key returners and emerging talent. Guys like Eden James in the backfield bring explosive playmaking ability. Our quarterback room is strong, and our defense is anchored by experienced leaders who understand our system. We’ve also added some dynamic transfers and young guys who are already making an impact.
Morton: Have you had any notable departures, maybe players who’ve advanced to the next level?
Scott: Yes, we’ve had some seniors graduate and a few guys got invited to the HBCU Combine. It’s encouraging to see how the Combine has grown—it’s no longer just symbolic. They’ve changed the requirements and provided real exposure. That helps us in recruiting. Players now know they can come to Howard and still have a legitimate path to the league.
Morton: That’s powerful. How does this evolution in HBCU exposure influence your recruiting strategy?
Scott: It’s a game-changer. Visibility is everything. When scouts and media pay attention to HBCUs, it validates what we’ve known all along—we have elite talent. It also shows young players and their families that you can get a world-class education and a shot at the NFL from an HBCU like Howard.
Zach: You mentioned how much time is spent on recruiting. With the rise of the HBCU combine and increased attention, how has that changed your recruitment strategy? HBCU players have more visibility and access to the NFL than ever before.
Coach Larry Scott: Absolutely. Players are becoming more aware of the opportunities. All we ask for in life is opportunity, and I remind our guys daily: don’t miss it. Take care of what you can control—be present, water your own grass. These are life lessons that, if learned between 18 and 22, will serve them for life—not just in football, but as future leaders, husbands, and fathers.
What’s happening now is a shift in how young athletes view opportunity. They’re drawn to environments where they can be unapologetically themselves. At HBCUs like Howard, you’re not just an athlete. You’re supported academically and personally by people who care about your growth as a man.
Today, athletes realize it’s not about a brand building them. With NIL, they can build their own brands wherever they are. The goal becomes finding a nurturing environment that fosters growth—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Howard, and other HBCUs, offer that.
You can still reach the NFL from an HBCU. If players can make it from schools like Lenore-Rhyne, they can definitely make it from Howard, FAMU, or Hampton. But those schools might not provide the environment that develops them into the best version of themselves.
That’s what we’re offering—a holistic experience. And it’s not just for the athletes. We have incredible young women working in our program every day, helping us succeed. We’re creating a space where Black people grow—whether in sports or beyond.
Zach: Pivoting back to spring ball—most of the practices are now behind you. Who are some standout players from this spring that we should keep an eye on for the 2025 season?
Coach Larry Scott: Great question. I was thinking about that on my way to work. You try not to judge too early—some players have a great day here or there. But the real evaluation is about consistency: who’s been putting in the work since January?
One name that stands out is wide receiver Sa’korn Osborne. We recruited him last year, and he’s really turned a corner. He played some last season, but this spring, he’s shown noticeable growth—on and off the field. He’s becoming more coachable, handling his responsibilities in the classroom, and carrying himself differently. It’s like he’s having that lightbulb moment. If he continues this trajectory, he’ll be special for us.
We also have two tight ends making great strides…
Zach: You’ve coached at the Power Five level before, including your time at Miami. How has your personal journey shaped the way you lead, recruit, and mentor young men at Howard?
Larry Scott: That’s a great question. When I first got into coaching, it wasn’t about the business or the money—it was about the impact a coach had on my life. A coach who didn’t look like me or come from where I came from decided to invest in me. He saw something in me I didn’t yet see in myself. That impact inspired me to follow this path.
I went to the University of South Florida, and my college coach kept telling me I’d be a coach one day. I resisted at first—I wanted to make real money and avoid long hours and recruiting. But eventually, I got into coaching at USF for eight years, then moved on to the University of Miami. In my third year there, I became the interim head coach after Al Golden was released. That opportunity—to lead a storied program like Miami to a bowl game—showed me I could do this anywhere.
From there, I went to the University of Tennessee, where I became the first Black offensive coordinator in the program’s 132-year history. Then I went to the University of Florida under Dan Mullen. We had a lot of success—New Year’s Six bowls, Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl—coaching many talented athletes, some of whom are still in the NFL.
When the opportunity to coach at Howard came up, it wasn’t an easy decision. Many people questioned it. Some even said I was committing “career suicide” by going to a program that hadn’t historically done well. I didn’t even know the school was on academic probation when I arrived. But we fixed that—Howard now has the highest APR of any HBCU. That’s part of the legacy we’re building.
People wondered why I would leave the fast track for this. But I’ve always trusted my spiritual intuition. I saw Howard as a place where I could truly make an impact and leave a legacy. I didn’t want to keep chasing the hype, the big names, or the money. I wanted to give back—to invest in a program that few believed in, to build something meaningful.
We’ve made great strides, but there’s still work to do. With the transfer portal and NIL landscape, I think we’re in a unique position to keep growing into a championship-caliber program. I wanted the challenge. I knew it came with risks, but the reward is in the purpose and the people. That means more than fame or money.
Zach: Absolutely. And you certainly have the opportunity to leave a great legacy at Howard University. What’s your message heading into the 2025 season?
Scott: Our message is clear: be consistent, be tough, and be smart. We’re built on a legacy, and we’re fueled by pride. We want to honor that by how we prepare, how we play, and how we represent Howard University every time we take the field. The journey to greatness is in the details, and we’re locked in on every one of them.
Zach: I appreciate your time, Coach Scott. Looking ahead to the Orange Blossom Classic—who do you have winning?
Larry Scott: Let’s just say there’s a little “get back” energy around here. We feel like we let one slip away in Atlanta during the Celebration Bowl—a trick play in the final moments gave them the win after we led most of the game. That left a bitter taste. So, we’ll be fired up, focused, and ready. I believe our best shot will be good enough. I like our chances going down to Miami and taking care of business.
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