IUFB Pro Day Primer: LB Tegray Scales

Tegray Scales (8) Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Tegray Scales was a prized recruit from Colerain High School in Cincinnati. Scales was a top-500 player in the country, a top-35 outside linebacker, and one of the 25 best football players in the state of Ohio per 247 Sports. Recruited primarily by IU’s linebackers coach and current special teams coordinator William Inge, Scales chose the Hoosiers over a dozen other Division I scholarship offers. Scales was impressed with Indiana’s persistence throughout the recruiting process, and ultimately he decided Bloomington was the place for him.

Ohio is stocked full of talented football players, and Tegray Scales still managed to shine bright among the rest. As a senior in 2013, Scales was named the Associated Press Co-Defensive Player of the Year and also won the Southwest District’s Player of the Year Award. He garnered First Team All-State honors, was selected to the All-USA Today Ohio Football Team, and received an invitation to the United States Army All-American Bowl. Scales had a remarkably decorated high school career playing linebacker and was one of the best wrestlers in Ohio for four years. Scales maturity and football instincts made him special on and off the field. He racked up over 100 tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions during his senior season. Colerian High School won four consecutive conference championships with Tegray at middle linebacker. 

Scales was ready to make an impact on day one. From the moment he stepped on campus, Scales looked like the real deal. As a true freshman he tallied 46 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions. Scales tied the lead among the team and among Big Ten freshmen for interceptions. He earned significant playing time, appearing in all twelve games. Midway through his first collegiate season, it became apparent Scales would be a very special Hoosier. The first-year player was named IU’s defensive player of the week twice. Scales was named Indiana’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year. The accolades continued on a national scale. Tegray was recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week following IU’s road victory over Missouri. 247 Sports nominated Scales to the True Freshman All-American Team.

Scales football IQ and awareness immediately translated to the Big Ten. He increased his production as a sophomore in 2015. Scales played in 11 games, recording 64 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions. He was a major contributor on defense. Scales finished top-five on the team in interceptions, sacks, tackles, and pass breakups. Tegray was a constant problem against the run game and in coverage. A dual threat middle linebacker capable of leading a defense. He notched a two-sack game on the road in a win against Wake Forest. For the second consecutive year, Scales had a key interception in a victory over Purdue. Scales was named IU’s defensive player of the week once and was ready for a serious breakthrough as an upperclassman.

The addition of Tom Allen as Indiana’s new defensive coordinator rejuvenated all Hoosier defenders, but Tegray Scales may have benefited more than anyone. Scales’ junior season was unprecedented. Expectations were high for the proven linebacker, but no one expected Scales to explode like he did in 2016. He led the Big Ten in tackles with 126. That mark is top-ten in Indiana football history. Scales finished top-ten in the conference in sacks with seven, leading all Hoosiers. He recorded one interception and returned it for a touchdown. Scales led the entire nation in tackles for loss with 23.5. That impressive feat is second on IU’s All-Time list. Scales was IU’s defensive player of the week three times and was a team captain for five games. His leadership was paramount in helping pace Indiana to a second consecutive bowl game.

Scales proved he was not just one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten, but was one of the best linebackers in college football. Scales received Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player award for his contributions to the team. He was recognized as Indiana University’s Male Athlete of the year for displaying excellence in the classroom, on the field, and everywhere else. A special individual, Scales carried himself like a professional, and he represents IU as well as anyone ever has. Scales was named Second Team All-Big Ten. He was the Defensive MVP of the Foster Farms Bowl. Sports Illustrated nominated Scales as a Second Team All-American, becoming the first Hoosier linebacker to earn All-America honors in almost 30 years.

Scales was poised to finish his Indiana football career strong. He dominated the linebacker position once again, starting in all twelve games. Scales posted 89 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. For the second straight year, Scales finished in the top-ten in the conference and among the team leaders in numerous statistical categories. Scales was team captain in all twelve games. He was selected IU’s defensive player of the game twice. By the end of the season, Scales found himself on six different ‘watch lists’ for various awards including the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, and more. Scales was honored as Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. Scales was deservedly named First Team All-Big Ten by the media.

Scales ended his collegiate career with his name etched in Indiana’s record books. He was the first Hoosier linebacker to receive All-Big Ten honors since 1988. He finished third all-time in tackles for loss with 46. Scales also finished in the top-ten in school history in tackles (325) and sacks (18) – a storied career IU football fans won’t forget. Scales began drawing attention from pro scouts as a junior at Indiana, and his strong play as a senior only improved his stock. Scales participated in the bench press and 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Tegray posted a respectable 4.77 second 40-yard dash, which was average among linebackers at the combine. However, Scales tied for second among linebackers on the bench press with an impressive 27 reps. IU’s Pro Day will offer Scales a chance to further impress NFL scouts.

Scales is currently projected to be drafted in the fourth or fifth round of the NFL Draft according to NFL.com. Perhaps the largest critique of Scales is something he can’t quite control: size. At 6-foot, 230-pounds, Scales is not as tall or bulky as the prototypical middle linebacker in the pros. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com laid out Scales’ primary weaknesses as a prospect: “Will need to get better at striking and shedding at point of attack. Finds himself sliding off tackle attempts when diving rather than running through targets and wrapping up. Scouts question his pursuit speed and closing burst. Plays with some delay in acceleration when changing direction.” A laundry list of criticisms is typical among mid-round draft picks, and many of his flaws can be fixed.

There are numerous things Tegray Scales can do as well as any other linebacker in the draft. Throughout his career, elite football IQ and sharp instincts have made his lack of size irrelevant. Scales ability to diagnose and defend from pre-snap until the end of the play is superb. This is commonly referred to as an innate ability to “read and react”. Scales also uses his athleticism to provide coverage in the passing game. His ability in pass defense sets him apart from some of his peers. He has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and the patience to take quality tackling angles. Scales plays with Big Ten physicality and is proficient in shedding blockers. His technique is stellar, but part of what makes Scales so valuable is his leadership qualities. He is never afraid to be vocal. Scales is an extremely high-character individual willing to do whatever it takes for the betterment of the team.

Tegray Scales place in IU football history has been written. Now, he will begin writing the next chapter of his career in the NFL. He has drawn comparisons to NFL linebackers NoVarro Bowman and Brandon Marshall. It will be important that Scales is drafted by a team with good stability and a reputation for developing defensive players. Scales will look to stay healthy and get some playing time under his belt as a rookie. He will make players for whichever team is wise enough to select him. Someday, Scales could evolve into an everyday starter at inside linebacker or strongside linebacker. Regardless of where he gets drafted, Tegray Scales has proven himself more than capable of achieving success on and off the football field. 

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