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For Scott, getting teams to check off those boxes at this annual event makes sense because on-field production was not a problem during his three seasons at Michigan State.
The Fairfield High School graduate burst onto the scene in East Lansing, starting 12 games and breaking up 10 passes as a true freshman in 2017.
He had two interceptions and was credited with 30 tackles en route to being named a Freshman All-American, and big things seemed to be in store for him.
Although his sophomore seasons as delayed by a knee injury that cost him eight games, he still logged a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups in seven games. Four of those PBUs came against Oregon in the Redbox Bowl, earning him defensive most valuable player for that 7-6 Spartans win.
Last season he was a second-team All-Big Ten pick after breaking up eight passes and being credited for 55 tackles. One of his three interceptions was against Ohio State, a 12-tackle performance he identified as his best of the season.
“I feel like I showed everything on film that game,” he said. “Interception. Ball production. Open-field tackling. Zone awareness. I feel like I put it all on film that game, so I think that stands out against a very good opponent.”
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He credited his high school coaches, including Indians head man Jason Krause, with preparing him to make an immediate impact at Michigan State.
“Our coaches have a business approach to things so you know they got us working hard in the weight room early,” he said. “So I feel like that kind of preparation in the weight room prepared me for college. I’m a very good athlete and I feel like they prepared me to come in and play right away at Michigan State.”
He has stayed in touch with Krause and hopes to be able to give back to the Indians program as he moves into the next stage of his career.
“I still talk to my coaches every single week,” he said. “That’s an emphasis. I try to get back and work with the young guys if they want to and just be around those guys in the weight room to show them I’m just like y’all. I’m really not the biggest guy and I still did what I’m doing right now, so I just want to get around those guys and let them know.”
Scott measured in at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds at the combine with workouts scheduled for defensive backs on Sunday.
He hopes to display the type of athleticism that will convince teams he can play on the outside at cornerback or inside at nickel, an increasingly important position in today’s football.
“Oh yeah definitely,” he said. “I played inside and outside in my college career. I can match up with mostly anybody in the country.”
He also wants to impress the NFL coaches and player personnel he meets this weekend.
“I’m a very respectful guy, humble guy,” he said. “I don’t really draw too much attention to myself. I do the right thing all the time. There’s a right way to do things and a wrong way and I want them to know they can trust me with anything.”
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