Miami Adds Cornerback to Nation's Top Secondary Portal Class
Former Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott is transferring to Miami; his commitment brings a major boost for a unit looking to upgrade from a disappointing 2024 showing.
Hurricanes Head Coach Mario Cristobal is determined not to let last year's defensive struggles repeat themselves in an all-important year four, and has done a phenomenal job of overhauling the entire defensive backs room by adding top-tier talent via the transfer portal.
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Scott, whose talents will only bolster an already impressive secondary haul, entered his name in the transfer portal last week after spending the last three seasons at Auburn.
With one year of eligibility remaning, Scott is expected to compete for immediate playing time in the secondary, reuniting with his former Auburn defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, whom Scott followed to Coral Gables after originally transferring to the University of Houston in Janaury.
Interestingly enough, Etheridge was hired by Miami shortly after Scott's arrival in Houston.
Prior to his time in the SEC, Scott earned first-team NJCAA All-America status twice for his contributions as a return specialist and defensive back at Snow College in Utah.
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During his freshman season he amassed 27 tackles, with 5.5 coming behind the line of scrimmage, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. The following season, Scott matched his freshman total of 27 tackles (2.5 for loss), intercepted one pass, and broke up six more. He was also a factor on special teams, returning four kickoffs for 145 yards and a touchdown.
The top-rated JUCO cornerback enrolled at Auburn after his time at Snow College and was an instant contributor for the Tigers in 2022 as the primary nickelback. Scott had a combined 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and defended four passes while returning punts and kickoffs in 12 games.
He continued to show his versatility for the Tigers in 2023 and 2024 collecting 62 tackles in that span. But it was his playmaking ability that was on display as a punt returner averaging 14.8 yards per return, which led the SEC in 2023.
Scott's 74-yard punt return for a touchdown at Arkansas was the fourth longest in the conference that season.
In Scott, Miami gets a seasoned, instinctual cornerback with quick feet and loose hips. While he has experience playing on the outside, he is better suited to contribute as a slot corner due to his ability to be a factor in run support. He has also proven to be an effective blitzer from that position.
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The Hurricanes have added four cornerbacks and two safeties via the portal, but Scott may have the inside track to earn the nod as the team's starting nickelback given his effectiveness at Auburn and familiarity with Etheridge, under whom he enjoyed his best years on The Plains before Etheridge departed in 2024.
His addition bumps Miami's 247Sports transfer portal ranking to third in the nation.
Related: Hurricanes Land Elite Defender in Portal Over FSU
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