Illinois State tight end Scotty Presson Jr. caught two touchdown passes – the first of his career – in Saturday’s 21-13 win at South Dakota. (Photo by GoRedbirds. com)
By Dan Verdun
Though he has contributed in multiple ways to Illinois State’s football success, tight end Scotty Presson Jr. waited 32 games to get into the end zone.
On Saturday, the redshirt senior caught a pair of touchdowns as ISU defeated South Dakota, 21-13, in a battle of Top 25-ranked teams.
“Oh man, it felt great. I’m not going to lie, especially now with the transfer portal, staying here and being patient,” Presson Jr. told Prairie State Pigskin. “It’s really a dream come true to get into the end zone.”
During his five seasons at ISU, Presson Jr. has played multiple positions – fullback, H-back, tight end and primarily special teams.
“There have been great tight ends out of here before me like Tanner (Tuala), Bryson (Deming), Cam Grandy, Mitch (Bartol) and Javon (Charles) is still here, of course. I had to just be patient,” Presson Jr. said. “It was a reward to get into the end zone.”
Presson Jr. played travel baseball and AAU basketball growing up in St. Louis. He won an Illinois Class 3A state football championship at East St. Louis and is considered by many to be the sharpest dressed player on the ISU roster.
Get to know Presson Jr. in our Moving the Chains Q&A.
You played your first three years of high school football in St. Louis and then finished at East St. Louis. How did that happen?
My school (Trinity Catholic in St. Louis) was actually shut down. I felt it was a better opportunity to then go to East St. Louis. There’s great football there and it was a chance to learn everything I could.
What makes the East St. Louis program so good?
I actually had played against them twice before I transferred there. What makes them so good is the coaching, the weight room. They have tremendous things there. Everything is polished. It’s like a mini-college. Everybody has their job and knows what it is. It’s really structured.
Who were some of the best high school players you played against and with as teammates?
At my Catholic school, we played against Ronnie Perkins, who was a five-star defensive player who went to Oklahoma. There was (safety) Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M). (Receiver) Keontez Lewis. We played against him this year at Oklahoma. (Receiver) Dominic Lovett, who was at Georgia and plays with the Detroit Lions now. There’s plenty more people from the St. Louis area. I am grateful to be part of it.
You’ve played a number of positions in your time at Illinois State. What’s that been like?
It really showed me that whatever I put my mind to, I can do. Being able to learn the offense through whatever position they put me in, I can do. Coach (C.J.) Irvin and the offensive staff has trust in me. That feels good.
What have you improved on the most in your time at ISU?
Definitely my blocking. I didn’t really block much in high school because I came from pass-heavy offenses. Coach Irvin helped with that. You think you made the best play and he can point out the littlest thing to elevate your game to the next level. He’s really hard on us about those things, but that makes our tight end group so well-rounded.
Is there a particular game in your career that you felt like your moment had finally come and that you belonged in FCS?
Last year against Northern Iowa. I really didn’t have much playing time before that. I came in and made two third-down catches that really helped our team with momentum and kept our offense on the field.
A couple of your teammates have singled you out as the best-dressed player on the team. Do you agree with that?
I’d say I’m up there for sure. I’ve got some stuff. Feel good, look good, play good.
What’s the nicest thing you’ve got in your closet?
My shoes. I collect shoes.
Do you have a favorite pair?
Off the top of my head right now, I’d say Travis Scotts.
What’s the weirdest thing in your closet?
I don’t have any weird stuff. I’ve got a colorful windbreaker, that’s probably about the weirdest or oddest thing in there.
Are you a jersey guy?
I’ve never been that type of person. My dad actually has a good amount of jerseys. I do have a Mike Piazza Mets jersey and a St. Louis Blues (Vladimir) Tarasenko jersey. I’ve got some Cardinals jerseys, that’s my favorite baseball team.
Tell us more about your family.
My dad has been there since day one. He was really hard on me growing up. Even through the toughest times, he was there for me. My grandma was always there with me through thick and thin.
My mom really helped a lot with that motherly love.
You played baseball and basketball growing up. Outside of football, which was your favorite?
Baseball was definitely my favorite. My grandma told me I went to my first baseball game and I wasn’t even a year old. I’ve been around baseball my whole life.
Who were your favorite Cardinal players?
Albert Pujols. Scott Rolen. John Jay. Yadier Molina. I’ve got too many, but those were a few of my favorites.
What’s your favorite sport to follow at Illinois State outside of football?
Basketball. They’re really good. They were good last year with Chase (Walker) and Johnny (Kinziger). Those guys actually live right across from (offensive tackle) Brandon (Smith) and me.
Here’s a hypothetical question: The ISU basketball coaching staff needs one player from the football team to fill a roster spot. Who are they picking?
Hopefully me. I can play some hard defense. But realistically, we’ve got some real good hoopers on our football team. I’d probably say Brandon or Dan Sobkowicz. Those are the top two.
What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I didn’t really dress up like that growing up, but one of my favorites was this Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero.
What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Definitely the fun-size Snickers or Peanut M&Ms.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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