Recruiting Report: AJ Scaife (2020)

A two-way player his first year starting for the Roseville Raiders' football team, senior to be <strong>AJ Scaife</strong> has already impressed enough college programs to get attention from multiple levels of college football. During the early part of his recruiting, Scaife learned he would likely be learning a new position once his high school career ends. The 2018 Raiders' football team had an up and down 3-6 season. "Our defense was never a problem," Scaife said. "We were always hustling and were tough against the run. We did a good job against the pass, but really good quarterbacks gave us some trouble." "Our offensive line played well," Scaife continued. "We just couldn't get the passing game going consistently." Scaife played tight end and safety as a junior. "It was my first year playing varsity. I felt it went pretty well, but it is going to be even better in my senior year." The first-year starter played both safety spots on defense. "I mostly played strong safety," the Raiders' defender said. "I would line up either on the strong side or the open field side. We would usually play zone, but sometimes I would be in man coverage. I think I am best in zone because I can usually get my hands on the receiver or help my corner out." Scaife could play both safety spots. "I filled in at free safety when we had some injuries," Scaife told northstarfootballnews.com. "That went well for me too. I played a couple of second halves at free safety because of those injuries. That made me better at strong safety because I learned to read the field better." Mainly a blocker on the offensive side of the ball, Scaife would occasionally catch and even run the ball on offense. Scaife has been working mainly on his footwork and quickness this offseason, but he is also a three-sport athlete. "I play either the four or the five on the basketball team," Scaife explained. "I can shoot a little, but I mainly played defense. I enjoy playing defense in basketball. In track, I run the 100-meter hurdles, and I throw the discus." As the spring season came to an end, the camp season began. "I have been to camp at Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota," Scaife said. "I will be going to a South Dakota State camp in July. The camp experience has been good. I like the competition. I had never done a camp until this year. I played AAU basketball last year, but I wish I would have done football camps last year; I liked it a lot. I liked the intensity of the camps." He has spent most of his camp time at outside linebacker. "I am being recruited as an outside linebacker," Scaife – who likes to fish and be around the water - explained. "I have played outside linebacker before. I don't have a problem with it; it is a lot like strong safety, so it has not been a big change for me." Scaife expects to continue to play strong safety as a high school senior and already has four offers. "My first offer was from Winona State. I had been talking to them, and I went down there for a junior day, and they offered me. Later, the University of North Dakota came to our school, and they had me run a few drills. After, they offered me. Then I got offers from Mankato and Bemidji." "They like my size and how fast I am for my size," Scaife continued. "They like my awareness on the field." The 6'3" 210 three-sport athlete knows he can still improve – even in an area, colleges already like what they see. "I feel like I can improve my awareness on the field, and I can also work on my footwork." With only one year of varsity football under his belt, any improvement at all from Scaife in the Fall will keep the offers coming.