McMullen starts new journey
Your; Former OSU quarterback gets arena tryout, serves as Blue Ace assistant
By ROSS BISHOFF
Sports Writer
GRANVILLE -- Scott McMullen's football career has moved into a couple new arenas.
A season after completing his final year as an Ohio State Buckeye quarterback, the Granville native has joined the Blue Ace's high school coaching staff and recently took part in an invite-only tryout for the Columbus Destroyers' Arena League team.
Although the Destroyers' season doesn't begin until February, and he hasn't heard anything definite about playing for the club yet, he enjoyed his first shot at Arena League Football.
"I'm glad I did it to get a feel for the game, what it's like ... the quickness of it," McMullen said. "It was definitely different. You can't lead receivers because they'll smash right into the wall. But you have to make decisions quicker. It's almost like back-yard football."
On his daily radio show, new Destroyers head coach Chris Spielman has been very complimentary about McMullen's quick release and physical abilities.
For his part, McMullen -- who was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles in June -- said he'd welcome the chance to play for the Destroyers.
"It's an exciting atmosphere," McMullen said. "The fans have seen me the last five years and it'd be close to home. And playing for coach Spielman would be great, he definitely has a love and passion for the game."
In the meantime, McMullen is learning another aspect of the game: Coaching. This season he'll be Granville's quarterbacks coach after helping coach in the Licking County-Muskingum Valley All-Star Game.
"I'm getting a different perspective on football," McMullen said. "It's really kind of a behind-the-scenes look, talking with coaches and being in their meetings."
Being a member of the coaching staff has also helped him maintain his quarterbacking skills, as he gets plenty of reps in 7-on-7 drills or running the offense in practice.
"It's been kind of fun," McMullen said. "I think we're going to have a pretty successful year. Unless I get a call from an NFL team, I'll be there all ten weeks."
And he'll also pay close attention to the Buckeyes.
"I'm real curious," McMullen said. "They've got a lot of unproven players.
"It's going to be different now that I can just go to the games. I really can't wait for the season to start, high school and college."
