Frederick Henry “Juice” Scruggs is an American professional football center for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Scruggs began his professional career with the Texans before being traded to the Lions in March 2026. He has appeared in 36 NFL games with 20 starts across his career.
Early Life and Background
Scruggs was born on January 19, 2000, in Ashtabula, Ohio. He attended Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he was a four-time varsity letter winner in football. He played lineman on both sides of the ball, helping Cathedral Prep compile a 49-3 record during his four years with the team, including consecutive 14-0 seasons.
His senior year in 2017 proved to be his most decorated. Scruggs was named first-team all-state as a defensive lineman in 2016 and repeated the feat on the offensive line in 2017. He earned the Pennsylvania Football New Class 4-A Lineman of the Year award that season. A consensus four-star recruit, Scruggs was ranked as the fifth-best center nationally and committed to Penn State over offers from LSU, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Path to American Football
Scruggs arrived at Penn State in 2018 and saw limited action as a freshman, appearing on only three snaps against Maryland. He earned the team’s Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year award, recognizing his preparation and potential. His early college career was derailed in early 2019 when he was involved in a serious car accident that resulted in a concussion and fractured vertebrae. Scruggs wore a back brace for eight months and missed the entire 2019 season, a significant setback in his development.
He made his return to the field against Maryland in November 2020, nearly two years after the crash. Scruggs appeared in seven games that season, working his way back into shape. His perseverance through the injury shaped his mental approach to the game and strengthened his determination to earn a starting role.
College Career
Penn State Nittany Lions (2018–2022)
Scruggs posted his first career start in the 2021 season, opening all 13 games at center. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors from the Big Ten coaches and media, third-team All-Big Ten recognition from Pro Football Focus, and was named the recipient of Penn State’s Dick Maginnis Memorial Award, given to the best offensive lineman on the team. The 2021 campaign marked his emergence as a reliable anchor on the offensive line.
In 2022, Scruggs was voted team captain by his teammates, a testament to his leadership and work ethic. He started all 12 games and was named third-team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches. After the season, he declared for the NFL draft, forgoing an additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His college career ended with significant development from a raw prospect to an NFL-ready center.
Professional Career
Houston Texans (2023–2025)
The Houston Texans selected Scruggs in the second round with the 62nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2023, during his rookie training camp. He was activated on November 25, 2023, and appeared in seven games with six starts as a rookie. The injury setback in his first professional season mirrored his college experience, but he demonstrated resilience in returning to contribute immediately.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons represented Scruggs’s most significant playing time with the Texans. He established himself as a reliable starting center, appearing in a combined 29 games with 14 starts over those two seasons. His experience at Penn State and familiarity with the Texans’ offensive scheme made him a valuable piece of the offensive line. Scruggs’s durability and consistent performance helped anchor a unit that showed improvement during his tenure.
Detroit Lions (2026–Present)
On March 11, 2026, Scruggs was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for David Montgomery alongside a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move represented a new chapter in his career, joining a Lions team with established winning culture and aspirations. Scruggs brings his experience, technical skills, and leadership to Detroit’s offensive line room as he competes for a starting role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Scruggs is known for his combination of size and mobility at the center position. His experience at Penn State prepared him for the physical demands of the NFL, where he developed into a technically sound blocker. He displays good footwork and hand placement in pass protection and can execute pulling assignments in the running game. His competitive temperament and leadership qualities, recognized through his team captain role in college, have translated to the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scruggs has appeared in 36 NFL games with 20 starts across his career through the 2025 season. His most recent appearance came during the 2025 season with the Texans. His journey from a serious car accident in college to becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick and consistent starter represents his most significant career narrative. The recovery from his 2019 injury demonstrated his mental toughness and commitment to the sport.
Career Statistics
Scruggs has built a solid professional career since being drafted in 2023. He appeared in 36 NFL games with 20 starts through the 2025 season. His rookie campaign saw him overcome an early injury to contribute meaningfully, while the following seasons established him as a reliable starter on the interior offensive line.
Other Achievements
Beyond his NFL career, Scruggs’s accomplishments include his third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022, his Dick Maginnis Memorial Award as Penn State’s top offensive lineman in 2021, and his status as Pennsylvania Football New Class 4-A Lineman of the Year in 2017. His high school career featured a 49-3 record over four seasons and two undefeated campaigns at Cathedral Prep.
| Level | Games | Starts |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (Career) | 36 | 20 |
Personal Life
Scruggs completed his college education at Penn State before beginning his professional football career. He maintains a relatively private personal life despite his rising profile in the NFL. His journey from Ashtabula, Ohio, through Cathedral Prep to Penn State and eventually the NFL represents a story of perseverance through adversity. The serious car accident in 2019 that nearly ended his football career makes his professional success particularly notable.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another step in Scruggs’s development as he entered his third year with the Houston Texans. He continued to serve as a reliable option at center, building chemistry with his teammates along the offensive line. The Texans sought to build upon their recent improvements as an organization, and Scruggs’s consistency provided stability in the middle of their offensive front.
Throughout the season, Scruggs appeared in multiple games and contributed to an offense working toward greater consistency. His ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level represented growth from his rookie season struggles. The experience gained over three seasons in Houston positioned him well for the remainder of his career.
The transition to Detroit in March 2026 came after the conclusion of the 2025 season, giving Scruggs a fresh opportunity with a new organization. He brings his durability, technical skills, and leadership to a Lions team with clear ambitions. The 2025 season served as a strong foundation heading into this new chapter of his professional journey.