Xavier Scott, Illinois: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Scott was a three-star recruit from William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. in the class of 2022
Xavier Scott is the latest Illinois defensive back to arrive on the college football scene. Thanks to a strong start to the season, Scott is in the top 100 conversation for the 2025 NFL Draft. Check out his early-season scouting report.
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Xavier Scott, NB Illinois: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior slot corner from Riviera Beach, Fla.
Background: Scott was a three-star recruit from William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. in the class of 2022. He was the No. 1,357 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,525 for On3.com. Scott was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, he earned Palm Beach Post All-County honorable mention honors. That year, Scott took snaps at cornerback, quarterback, safety, and wide receiver. He also competed on the basketball team, earning 2020 6A-7A First Team All-County honors in 2020. Scott was born on Dec. 19, 2002.
Injuries & Off-Field: Limited by injuries as a high school senior, missed spring practice time in 2024 recovering from a partially torn ACL and torn meniscus
Awards: 2023 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
Overview: Scott has special teams experience on the kick coverage, punt return, and field goal block units. He plays in the slot and outside for the Fighting Illini and occasionally drops back from the slot to play safety in cover 2. Scott is undersized with a short and lean build, but his arm length might meet league thresholds. He uses patient footwork and fluid hips to avoid over-committing early in the play and mirror the receiver in the route stem. Scott is comfortable operating with his back to the receiver and eyes on the quarterback and vice versa. His football IQ shows up in how he processes and navigates stacks and switch releases from off-man coverage. The junior bumps receivers at the top of the stem to slow their speed before quickly snapping into phase. His aggression and mobility in coverage make him a natural tight end eraser, even with the size difference. He’s equally effective managing slot receivers. Scott doesn’t project as a press-man defender. He lacks the twitch and elite speed to stick with burners, which sometimes leads to him being stacked. Scott allows some separation on crossers against burners. The Florida native allows too much cushion in off-man at times, providing easy access to underneath throws. Physical receivers or tight ends disrupt his path in coverage and push off at the top of the stem. Scott gets caught attempting to anticipate throws at the top of the stem, which leads to some guessing. The former three-star recruit is a quick processor in zone coverage. He reads the quarterback’s eyes and recognizes throwing lanes at an impressive level. Scott baits quarterbacks into bad throws and uses his closing burst to undercut routes and make plays at the catch point. He is an instinctive defender who is developing a reputation for making clutch plays. Scott times his aggressive attacks at the catch point well and high points the ball. He quickly recognizes and triggers downhill against screens and swing passes. Scott navigates blocks well but struggles to match blocking tight ends. He struggles to separate from stalk blocks once receivers attach to him. Scott rarely misses tackles and arrives with good force as a tackler.
Overall, Scott is an undersized but smart and instinctive defensive back who projects best in a slot role at the NFL level. His recognition of play concepts, processing, closing burst, and performance at the catch point make him a force in zone coverages. He also has the fluidity, patience, and understanding of leverage to succeed in man coverage assignments.
Role & Scheme Fit: Slot corner in a Cover 2 scheme
Round Grade: Mid Third to Early Fourth Round
Size: 5'11", 190 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 09-27-24