Honestly, the "football player" archetype usually feels like a series of rigid boxes. You’re either a 300-pound road grader on the offensive line or a bruising 240-pound fullback. You aren't usually both. But Lucas Scott Army football standout and Binghamton native, basically spent his entire career at West Point proving that those boxes are mostly suggestions.
By the time he finished his final season in 2024, Scott wasn't just another cadet finishing a four-year grind. He was a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Second-Team All-American. That is a massive deal. To put it in perspective, he was the first Army player to land on that specific list since Mike Mayweather back in 1990.
Most people see a guy from a service academy and think "discipline" or "triple option," which is fair. But Scott’s story is a bit weirder and more impressive because of how many times he had to reinvent himself just to stay on the field.
From Chenango Forks to West Point: A Position Identity Crisis
If you follow New York high school sports, the name Chenango Forks usually means one thing: winning. Scott was a state champion running back and a two-time state champion wrestler there. He had Division I offers to wrestle at places like Army, Binghamton, and even some Ivy League schools.
He chose football.
But when he got to West Point, the coaching staff didn't really know where to put him. He was recruited as a fullback—a position he loved—but he spent his freshman year playing defensive line. Then he moved to tight end. By his junior year, he was a 290-pound right guard. By his senior year? He was starting at right tackle.
It’s kind of wild to think about.
Imagine spending your whole life being the fast, explosive guy, and then suddenly you're told to put on 60 pounds of "good weight" to hold back 300-pound pass rushers. Scott didn't just do it; he became the best at it. In 2024, he helped lead an Army unit that won the Joe Moore Award, which is the highest honor a group of offensive linemen can receive.
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Why the 2024 Season Was Different
Army’s move to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) was supposed to be a reality check. Instead, they ran over almost everyone. Scott was the anchor. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he graded out as one of the top offensive tackles in the entire country, finishing with a grade around 90.1.
He wasn't the tallest tackle at 6'3", and he certainly wasn't the heaviest at 305 pounds. But because of that wrestling background, his leverage was nightmare-fuel for defensive ends. He understood how to move people. He basically treated every snap like a heavyweight wrestling match where the loser gets pancaked.
The NFL Draft and the Baltimore Ravens Experiment
When the 2025 NFL Draft cycle started, scouts were confused. On paper, Scott was an undersized interior lineman. He worked out at center and guard for teams like the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Then the Baltimore Ravens called.
Todd Monken, the Ravens' offensive coordinator, is the cousin of Army head coach Jeff Monken. He had the inside scoop. Jeff told him that Lucas was "wired the right way." That’s coach-speak for "this kid will run through a brick wall if you ask him nicely."
The Ravens didn't want a 300-pound guard. They wanted the high school fullback version of Lucas Scott.
Becoming the Next Patrick Ricard?
During the 2025 preseason, the Lucas Scott Army football legend took a weird turn. He showed up at Ravens camp wearing #47 and lining up in the backfield. He had dropped weight—back down to about 290 pounds—to regain the mobility needed to lead-block for guys like Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell.
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It worked.
In a preseason game against the Colts, Scott made a block that went viral in coaching circles. He didn't just hit the linebacker; he fit into the gap with the precision of a guy who had spent years studying blocking angles from the perspective of a lineman. He paved the way for a 22-yard touchdown, and suddenly, the "Army O-Lineman" was the "Ravens Fullback Prospect."
What Most People Get Wrong About Army Players in the NFL
There is this lingering myth that service academy players are just "good stories" who can't actually play at the pro level because of their military commitment.
It's actually the opposite.
Scott, like many before him, has to balance a massive professional responsibility with his NFL dreams. Even while fighting for a roster spot, he’s an Engineering Management major who has to eventually serve five years in the Army.
But that military background gives him an edge in the film room. Most rookies struggle with the complexity of an NFL playbook. Scott spent four years at West Point. A playbook is nothing compared to engineering exams and 5:00 AM formations.
The Reality of the "Swiss Army Knife" Label
We use the term "versatile" a lot in sports, but for Scott, it’s a survival mechanism. To make it in the NFL as an undrafted guy from a service academy, you have to be able to do everything.
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- Lead Blocking: He can pull from the fullback spot and erase a safety.
- Special Teams: His size-to-speed ratio makes him a perfect wedge breaker.
- Emergency Lineman: If two guards go down, he’s probably the only fullback in the league who can actually slide into the trenches and pass-protect.
He told reporters at the Hula Bowl that playing fullback was his "dream position." It’s rare to see a guy go from O-line back to the backfield, but Scott’s athleticism—clocking a 5.12 40-yard dash at 300+ pounds—made it possible.
Actionable Insights for Following Lucas Scott’s Career
If you’re tracking Scott’s progress or looking for how this transition impacts the league, keep an eye on these specific markers:
1. Watch the Practice Squad Elevations If Scott doesn't make the initial 53-man roster, he is a prime candidate for the practice squad. In the modern NFL, teams often "stash" versatile players like him to develop their specific position-switching skills.
2. The "Ricard" Factor The Ravens already have Patrick Ricard, one of the best fullbacks in history. Scott is essentially the apprentice. If Ricard misses time or the Ravens decide to go even heavier in their run schemes, Scott’s value triples.
3. Monitor the Weight If you see Scott's weight dip toward 275-280, he's fully committed to the H-back/Fullback role. If he stays up near 300, he’s likely being viewed as a "swing" player who can play both line and backfield.
4. Service Requirements Stay updated on his active-duty status. The current rules generally allow service academy athletes to pursue pro sports if they are offered a contract, but they still have to fulfill their commissions eventually.
Lucas Scott is the living embodiment of why you don't scout just the jersey or the position listed on the roster. He’s a wrestler, a lineman, and a fullback rolled into one 290-pound frame. Whether he’s wearing the Black Knights' gold or the Ravens' purple, he’s usually the hardest-working person on the field.