It took some convincing for Greg Scruggs to play football this season, but St. Xavier coach Steve Specht is sure glad he did.

Scruggs, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior defensive end, has made a significant impact for the nationally-ranked Bombers so far this season.

Scruggs has 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for the Bombers. He helped lead the defense shut out Elder 18-0 last week at Ballaban Field.

Although Scruggs has played basketball the past three seasons, he’s been in the band the past three seasons during the fall. Specht said Scruggs is an “unbelievable drummer.”

“Greg is a great kid and he decided to play because he needs a scholarship to attend college and he wanted to play with his friends (most of whom are on the team),” Specht said.

Specht said North Carolina State and Miami (Ohio) have made offers to Scruggs and that will be just the beginning for the talented defensive player. It seems Scruggs made the correct decision for someone not expected to be on the team this season.

“He has always lifted with us, but never had the push to want to play,” Specht said. “He has more potential than anyone I’ve ever coached. Then again, he hasn’t played since the sixth grade.”

St. X (6-0, 1-0 Greater Catholic League South), ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today, plays host to La Salle at 7:30 p.m. Friday.