From overlooked playmaker to Buccaneers draft pick, Keionte Scott brings elite coverage skills and a championship mindset to Tampa Bay.
Cornerback Keionte Scott was a valuable addition and significant playmaker to the Miami Hurricanes' secondary this past season. He recorded 64 total tackles, 42 solos and 22 assists, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven passes defended, five passes broken up, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions, both resulting in pick-sixes, appearing in 14 games, including 12 starts.
The 24-year-old was, at one point, the highest PFF-graded cornerback in the nation. He was one of two in the position to finish in the top-10 in run defense and coverage.
Despite the class consisting of significant defensive talent, Scott flew under the radar for most of the process. However, he started to catch buzz after a significant Miami Pro Day: ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and jumped a 44-inch vertical. The performance, along with in-game production, helped Scott get selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 116th pick.
The San Diego, California, nativeās collegiate career began at the JuCo level at Snow College, located in Ephraim, Utah. After two junior college All-American seasons, along with earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Iowa Western Reivers linebacker Jacob Ellis in 2021, Scott carved out a path to the Football Bowl Subdivision, landing with the Auburn Tigers. He spent three seasons with the program, playing as a primary starting nickel.
Scott experienced a downward season in 2024, which resulted in him entering the transfer portal and finding a new home in South Florida. The high-motor cornerback was on coach Mario Cristobalās radar since being a head coach with the Oregon Ducks. Despite not originally joining forces coming out of JuCo, they were able to reconnect down the line.
Scott played a pivotal role in the Hurricanesā secondary, alongside veteran safety Jakobe Thomas, who joined through the transfer portal, coming from the Tennessee Volunteers. The teamās scoring defense went from being ranked No. 70 the previous year to fifth under first-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.
The newest member of the Buccaneers will turn 25 years old before the new NFL season begins. However, similar to Hurricanes edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, who was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 22nd pick, Scott is a ready-now rookie who can bring an immediate impact, with a high maturity level. Heās a versatile defender who can play in several different packages, especially at nickel.
Scott is known to be a culture-changer and leader, looking to deliver those same qualities from the Hurricanes to the Buccaneers.
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