The Minnesota Vikings need to find a long-term starter to pair with Byron Murphy Jr. at cornerback. The easiest place to address this would be the draft, and Miami’s Keionte Scott is one of the best prospects Minnesota could land. Experts project Scott to be drafted in the second or third round, putting him in prime position for the Vikings.
In 2024, Keionte Scott saw a decreased role on defense. However, the NCAA granted Scott an extra year of eligibility heading into the 2025 season, and he made the most out of it. He briefly transferred to Houston, then committed to Miami and helped lead them to a deep playoff run, followed by a National Championship appearance. Scott was a leader on Miami’s vastly improved defense, which got better largely because of him. He was one of the main reasons Miami reached the national championship.
He had a pick-six against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, which was a huge turning point in the game, proving he can perform under the brightest lights.
Scott shone on the big stage and was often the deadliest weapon on Miami’s defense. His greatest attribute is his speed; Scott officially ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash.
He’s fast in drills, and his speed translates to the field. Scott is arguably one of the best closers in college football.
In the clip below, you can see Scott explode off the line and generate a turnover in a playoff game against Texas A&M.
That play also shows how good he is at blitzing, something Miami frequently asked him to do.
Scott’s speed is a skill that coaching can’t teach, and it’s something that would make him stand out to Brian Flores and the rest of the defensive coaching staff. And that speed does not come at the expense of tackling — Scott is one of the best run defenders in the draft.
A cornerback can rarely claim this, which could make him a valuable asset to any team. He can also break on the ball quickly in the passing game and put himself in the best spot to make a play.
He’s extremely well-rounded and doesn’t allow much production.
He has played most of his relevant snaps at nickel and has been great there, at Miami and Auburn before that. Despite all that versatility, though, he does have some limitations.
Scott has occasionally struggled as an outside corner, despite having the size and strength to excel there. A nickel with the run-stopping ability that Scott has is extremely rare, and he can improve upon these weak points with proper NFL coaching.
Oh, and the cherry on top? Not only is Scott a great cornerback, but he’s also a great punt returner.
He has the perfect amount of downhill speed, combined with his twitchy athleticism. Carving out a role in special teams is always a great way to get on the field as a young player, especially in a role as crucial as the punt returner.
Scott has been playing college football since 2020. Many may view this as a negative due to his age, but it also means he has had plenty of experience and has seen many different offenses during his six years of college ball. He can play in multiple schemes and adapt to quick changes, meaning he should be ready to see the field on Day 1.
The Vikings should address their need for a cornerback early in the draft, but likely not as early as the first round. Keionte Scott can be a huge asset in this room and can make an immediate impact, unlike some other rookies who may require more development. As a second- or third-round pick, he could be a long-term solution who also makes a difference right now.
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