SHARONVILLE, Ohio – The road to Super Bowl 57 for two defenders began with high school football in Greater Cincinnati.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josiah Scott played at Fairfield High School for head coach Jason Krause. Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, a Mount Healthy High School graduate, played for current Hamilton High School head coach Arvie Crouch. Both were in the class of 2017.
As Krause and Crouch prepare to celebrate the Greater Miami Conference’s 24th Annual National Signing Day ceremony Wednesday afternoon, Scott and Cook are discussed as examples of success thanks to their persistence.
About 40 seniors from 10 GMC schools have committed or signed a national letter of intent to play college football since the first NCAA signing period in December.
This year’s National Signing Day ceremony, presented by Beacon Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will be hosted by the Delta Marriott in Sharonville beginning at 1:15pm Wednesday.
The WCPO High School Insider Podcast, presented by Chick-fil-A restaurants in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, will host a special live episode starting at 11am, featuring scheduled conversations with GMC coaches.
Afterwards, the coaches will acknowledge their student-athletes during the ceremony and explain why Wednesday is also the beginning of a new journey.
“I think the No. 1 thing is staying in school, graduating, playing all four years — that’s a big thing,” Krause said. “Don’t give up. Things are going to be tough. Be the best you can be. That needs to be your mindset.”
Scott, a three-year letter winner for Michigan State, was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He earned 20 scholarship offers during his recruiting process and selected Michigan State in late July entering his senior season.
Jason Krause
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josiah Scott (left) is a 2017 graduate of Fairfield High School. Fairfield head coach Jason Krause said he was proud of Scott’s journey from playing in the GMC to Super Bowl 57.
Cook, a former University of Cincinnati safety, had only one scholarship offer from Howard University during his senior season at Mount Healthy. Five years later, he was named to a Pro Football Focus Third-Team All-America selection. The Chiefs selected Cook in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Crouch said Cook’s work ethic and character proved all the doubters wrong. This was shown in the AFC Championship Game when Cook deflected a fourth quarter pass that the Chiefs intercepted to stop the Bengals’ drive on third down.
Cook’s former coach said he’s not surprised by his success on the field and in life.
“I have college coaches ask me about certain guys,” Crouch said. “(There was) a guy here who’s kind of a late bloomer. (The college coach) listened because of Bryan Cook. And he didn’t listen when I tried to talk to him about Bryan Cook earlier.”
Arvie Crouch
Hamilton head coach Arvie Crouch (left) coached Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook at Mount Healthy. Former UC star Cook reached the Super Bowl in his rookie season after making an impact in the AFC championship game.
That’s why Wednesday is such a significant day for the GMC.
It’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of student-athletes and high school teams, but also to kick-start a new chapter with a vision toward athletic and academic success.
“I think it’s important that those kids get recognized,” Krause said. “Our coaches do a really great job of not only coaching through the season on Friday nights, but they also do a huge recruiting for their kids. That’s the #1 thing. We’re looking to bring these kids to the next opportunity. And the college is that opportunity to pick up your game and go ahead and get your degree with that.”
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