Keionte Scott

● Creates havoc with lightning-fast play speed ● More disruptive at the line than most linebackers ● Above-average spatial instincts and knows when to roll the dice ● Sticks hands/shoulder into blocks to set an edge or leverage run lanes ● Makes himself small to avoid blocks without taking himself out of the play ● Has a knack for timing blitzes and screams through gaps before blockers can react ● Taps into another gear when closing from the backside ● Finishes with snap as a tackler 579 Back to table of contents -- 583 of 629 -- ● Highly respected in the program — “his energy could power the building,” according to an NFL scout ● Played on punt return coverage all four seasons in FBS

● Light and leanly built, with below-average length and development ● Has rigid moments working in reverse vs. pass ● Can be a hair late triggering on comebacks/stop routes ● Bigger targets can wall him off from catch points ● Needs to come to balance sooner when driving alley ● Lacks ideal finishing strength when he doesn’t square up target ● Overaged — will be a 25-year-old rookie ● Right foot injury (Nov. 2025) during super-senior season that initially was considered season-ending, but he returned for College Football Playoff after missing final three regular-season games; high right ankle sprain, which required tightrope surgery (Sept. 2023), but made a “miracle” recovery and missed just three games

A one-year starter at Miami (and three-and-a-half-year starter overall), Scott played a hybrid nickel role in defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After two years at the junior college level, he bounced between slot and outside cornerback at Auburn without much consistency. He transferred to Miami for his final season and was the best defensive player on the field in several of the Hurricanes’ wins on their run to the 2025 national championship game. Scott plays like a linebacker in a cornerback’s body. His ability to set the edge, avoid blocks and make stops at the line of scrimmage is coaching tape for young nickels. He screams downhill as a blitzer and chases down runners in pursuit, although he comes in hot, which can lead to breakdowns in the open field. He sniffs out passing lanes downhill but doesn’t show the same anticipation when working in reverse. Overall, Scott offers a unique blend of quick processing and decisive speed that makes him a natural fit as an attacking nickel, although some schemes might view him as too specialized outside of subpackages. Along with on special teams, he can give an NFL defense meaningful snaps in the right situation.