Scott Scharff Scott Scharff ( born February 7 , 1982 in Wisconsin Rapids , Wisconsin ) is a former American football defensive lineman . He previously spent two and a half seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints . He played college football at Stanford University . While at Stanford , Scharff majored in Sociology with a concentration in Business , Organizations , and Economics and also a minor in Public Policy . NFL . New Orleans Saints . Was obtained off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers . He was placed on the practice squad for the majority of the 2006 - 2007 season . On November 29th , 2006 was elevated to the 53 - man active roster for week 12 vs the San Francisco 49ers . Suffered a season ending knee injury ( ACL , MCL , Meniscus ) during practice later that same day . Underwent reconstructive surgery and was placed on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season . After spending the off - season rehabilitating the injury , Scharff was re - signed to the team for the 2007 - 2008 season . He was released by the Saints at the end of training camp . San Francisco 49ers . Signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2005 NFL Draft choosing the San Francisco 49ers over offers from 5 other teams . After training camp was placed on the practice squad for the 2005 - 2006 season . Allocated to NFL Europe during the off - season . Upon his return , Scharff spent the 2006 - 2007 training camp with the 49ers . Scharff was waived at the conclusion of training camp and promptly signed by the New Orleans Saints . NFL Europe . Allocated to NFL Europe by the San Francisco 49ers on January 11 , 2006 to the Hamburg Sea Devils . Started all 10 games at defensive end . Led the league in QB sacks with six . Named First Team All - NFL Europe for his performance during the 2006 season . College . Scharff played college football at Stanford . Scharff was a fifth - year senior for the Cardinal after redshirting his freshman year . He was a three time letter winner . 2004 . Started 11 games and lettered for the third season . He tallied 23 tackles , 11 of which were solo . He finished with 1 sack on the season and 4 passes deflected . 2003 . Was a backup defensive tackle who played in 10 of 11 games and lettered for the second - consecutive season . He provided the Cardinal with a quality defensive tackle coming off the bench . Scharff had eight tackles , two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick . He blocked a field goal attempt by Cal in The Big Game . He had two tackles and a fumble recovery vs . Washington . Missed one game ( Oregon , 10 / 25 ) due to a torn ACL . Scharff played the final five games of the season with the injury , and underwent arthroscopic ACL surgery following the season . 2002 . Earned his first varsity letter as a backup defensive tackle . He played in all 11 games and started one game against Arizona State . Scharff accounted for nine total tackles , including five solos , 0 . 5 tackles for loss and 0 . 5 sacks . He dad three tackles vs . San Jose State and two each against Arizona State , Washington State and UCLA . 2001 . Appeared in three games as a reserve defensive lineman - vs . Arizona State , vs . UCLA and at Arizona . He recorded an assisted tackle in Stanford ' s 51 - 28 victory over Arizona State on Sept . 22 . 2000 . Redshirted the campaign as a true freshman . High School . He played football at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids , Wisconsin . He played as a defensive end . His senior year he was named a Bigger Faster Stronger Magazine All - American , USA Today honorable mention All - American , All - State , and Wisconsin Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year , first - team all - conference and all - region , and was one of the top defensive lineman in the nation . Finished senior year with 15 sacks and 29 tackles for loss . He also participated in power - lifting . Placed first in his weight class in the state power - lifting championship .