Who is Adam Engroff?            

As it is often seen, when a corporation is successful, the credit usually goes to its top officials. When the Miami Dolphins are successful, everyone gives the coaches, players, and front office credit. What often goes unnoticed are the men who scout future players and put the spotlight on who the Dolphins should select or sign. In this week’s edition of Fins Friday, I’ll be introducing many of you to the man who I believe has done a superb job in finding talented players for the Miami Dolphins.

   A Kansas State and Lynn University alumni, Adam Engroff‘s tenure with the Dolphins began in 1999 when he was brought in as part of the team’s college scouting department. His duties in the department included college scouting and draft preparation. Before working for the Dolphins, Engroff worked for the Prep Recruiting Network from 1997-1998 where he was in charge of scouting high school football players. After leaving the Prep Recruiting Network, he joined the Orange Bowl Committee from 1998-1999, working in football relations.

   After spending 2001 as the Dolphins’ college scouting coordinator, Engroff is going on his seventh season as a college scout and 12^th season with the team. Based in Boise, Idaho, Engroff is now the team’s regional scout, and covers the west for the Miami Dolphins. 

    In the last few years, the work Engroff has done has been exceptional. Currently, there are sixteen players who have attended western colleges and universities on the Dolphins’ roster and practice squad who can be accredited to Engroff’s excellent eye for talent. Some of the most notable names are Davone Bess (Hawaii), Dan Carpenter (Montana), Sean Smith (Utah), Koa Misi (Utah), Ikaika Alama- Francis (Hawaii), Tyrone Culver (Fresno State), Paul Soliai (Utah), Lex Hilliard (Montana) and Clifton Smith (Fresno State). Others include Marlon Moore (Fresno State), Roberto Wallace (San Diego State), Cory Procter (Montana), Pat McQuistan (Weber State), John Denney  (BYU), Jonathon Amaya (Nevada) and Ray Feinga (BYU).  Not all of these players have been drafted, some have been signed as free agents, some as UDFA, and one has been acquired via trade. Most of these players have become key contributors and backups, some have resurrected their careers and all have shown potential.

   Parcells and Ireland sign, draft and trade for the players, Coach Tony Sparano coaches them, but if not for Engroff’s ability to scout and present these players to the front office, perhaps some would not be here. To me, Adam Engroff is the super scout of the Dolphins and I am not the only one who thinks this way. General Manager Jeff Ireland has this to say when asked about drafting Utah players in the second round in back to back years:

“They're obviously a very competitive program now. Our scout, Adam Engroff, he goes through there, and he's got a good relationship with those coaches. They just have the kind of guys that were looking for: high character guys, high motor guys. They're well coached. It is one of those programs obviously in the last couple of years that we've felt very good about the guys being ready to become pros. I personally didn't make a visit to Utah this year, but I did see Koa [Misi] play versus Alabama. I was actually at that game at the Sugar Bowl last year. I think he had three sacks in the game, he terrorized that Alabama offense. It's a program that's on the rise obviously, and something we feel pretty comfortable with."

The most interesting part of this quote is that Jeff Ireland never saw Misi play in person last season. That alone shows the confidence he has invested in regional scout, Adam Engroff. To have a contributor like Engroff as part of the Miami Dolphins is a great advantage and someone all Dol-fans should know about and appreciate.

Sources: www.MiamiDolphins.com, www.SunSentinel.com