Back To School For Keionte Scott
August 7th, 2026
Rookie DB Keionte Scott.
Rookie Bucs cornerback Keionte Scott played six years of college football and he turns 25 next week.
This is no ordinary rookie and he’s not being treated as such.
As Joe has documented, Scott has been playing all over the Bucs; defensive backfield in training camp — safety, cornerback and nickel.
It appears the Bucs want him to be their starting nickel. And that’s a Todd Bowles thing: Tykee Smith was a rookie nickel (2024), taking over for then-rookie Christian Izien (2023). And Jacob Parrish got that done last year (2025) as a rookie. Why Bowles doesn’t seem to want an experienced nickel is unclear to Joe.
Scott told The Pat & Aaron Show on WDAE radio that practicing verywhere is setting him up to be an informed and prepared nickel. He sees it, in part, as a learning exercise to help him understand where his defensive back brothers are supposed to be.
Joe just hopes Scott’s maturity and experience makes him a great fit as a rookie nickel that can hit the ground running. There is no question in Joe’s mind that Joe Burrow will be salivating thinking about testing Scott on opening day — repeatedly.