Ex-Aussie Rugby Player Sets Sights on the NFL

Like many college football players, Colin Scotts hopes to make it in the National Football League.

What makes his situation unique is that his aim is to become the first athlete born and reared in Australia to make it to the professional football level.

“That’s my goal, mate,” said the 6-6, 265-pound defensive tackle at the University of Hawaii. “Playing professional football would be a real thrill, something I’ve set my sights on.”

When he first reported as a freshman three years ago, Scotts had no idea what the game was all about--or even how to pile on a padded uniform. Yet, his contribution this season has been one of the reasons Hawaii is the nation’s No. 5 in defense.

Through the Rainbows’ first seven games, the one-time rugby star in Australia had 41 tackles--21 unassisted and 20 assists. He also had five sacks, six other tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries.

Reaching the Division I plateau wasn’t easy and Scotts laughs about his trials and tribulations when he started out as a strapping, but promising freshman.

“It was a major adjustment. I didn’t know a thing about American football. In fact, the first game I saw, I played in,” he said. “I was lost, totally lost. I went straight into two-a-days and had to ask myself, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ I thought it would be like rugby, but it wasn’t like rugby at all.”

Shaking his head, Scotts said he still hasn’t become accustomed to donning some football gear.

“Putting a helmet on my head is something I can’t get used to,” he said. “And all the pads. I’ve never gotten used to them.”

Scotts confided it required a lot of help from a former teammate, Larry Goeas, to put on all the equipment and learn the rules of the “foreign” game.

“Larry had to start me from scratch; I mean from the first step. I didn’t know a first down from a first base. He had to actually put the equipment on me the first few times. You know, where the hip pads go, the shoulder pads. That sort of thing,” Scotts said.

“He just grabbed me and told me what it was all about. But you could see it was fun for him, too.”

Dedication to the American way of sports also was a factor Scotts had to contend with.

“The whole professionalism of football consumed me,” he said. “Back home, training for rugby usually consisted of running around the park a few times and having a beer with the boys afterward. If we lost a match, we’d say we’d get them the next time. It was completely amateur and fun.

“Here, it’s totally different. It’s like a job, like a profession. There is so much time, effort and practice you have to put in. The losses come harder, too. But I’ve grown to love football and I’m really enjoying myself now.”

Scotts moved into the lineup part time as a freshman and has stayed there ever since.

“He’s a big reason why our defense is doing as well as it is,” said Hawaii defensive coordinator Bob Wagner.

Larry McDuff, who handles the defensive line, said in the three years he has worked with Scotts, he has seen “a lot of growth.”

“He’s gone from a big athlete who could run well, to one whose become a good, solid football player,” said McDuff. “What he does best is rush the passer and, based on opportunities in professional football, he has a lot of the physical tools they look for--size, speed and quickness. All those things put together will give him an opportunity to play pro ball.”

The Hawaii coaching staff first noticed Scotts when he visited the United States as part of an Australian youth soccer team.

“It was purely an experiment, I think,” said Scotts. “I turned them down at first, but when I realized I’d be the first Australian, I decided to try it. It took some gut-searching, but I loved the challenge, too. I’ve never looked back since.”