Entering Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, cornerback was one of the Bucs biggest remaining positions of need. The team addressed it interestingly, drafting Miami defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth round with the 116th overall pick.

Suddenly, in selecting outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. and Scott, two former Hurricanes will be touching down in Tampa Bay. Each will have an opportunity to become a factor and reshape the defense in 2026.

Keionte Scott: “I Play The Game Like An Old School Player”

Keionte Scott is coming off a platform season in Miami where he was a key defensive playmaker for a team that made it all the way to the 2026 National Championship game against Indiana. Scott hovered around the football in each of the 14 games he played in last year, recording 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two interceptions which were both pick-sixes.

Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Photo by: Sophie Pallman – The University of Miami

Discussing his play style and what allowed him to have that level of production, it comes from having a nose for the football.

“Yeah, ultimately [it is] just the want-to,” Scott said about being a physical, downhill defender. “I feel like I try to pride myself on being an old school cat, play the game like an old school [player], flying around, not being afraid to stick my nose in anything and kind of just playing fast. I feel like that attribute helps the defense at times too, by me being able to just fly around and being able to erase things before they get started.”

That will play on the Bucs’ defense, as Scott will the latest versatile defensive back to enter the ranks. Based on what assistant general manager Rob McCartney said about him on Saturday after Tampa Bay made all of their draft picks, the team will start him off as a nickelback.

It will put Scott in position to be the most productive and earn immediate snaps, likely kicking Jacob Parrish outside to work more as a cornerback in the process. Regardless of where he lines up, though, Scott is excited about his fit in head coach Todd Bowles’ scheme.

Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Photo by IMAGN Images – Jeff Romance

“This is definitely a scheme that was on my mind as far as where I felt like I would fit at,” Scott said. “This scheme that is being [run] is just amazing, what he does on defense as far as showing the versatility of the defensive backs also. I’m just super excited to get there and get to work, man. I’m super excited.”

Asked about where he is most comfortable on the field, Scott simply mentioned that he is a defensive back willing to whatever asked of him. Bowles will enjoy deploying him and making the most of his abilities. He is a strong blitzer and disruptive at the line of scrimmage, effectively serving as another linebacker near the box and as a sub-package weapon. With electric speed (4.33 40-yard-time) to play in the slot and bringing high energy, his instincts and traits are what the secondary desperately needs in order to cause more havoc.

“I feel like I pride myself on being a defensive back and definitely have this chip building up on my shoulder that was already there. It’s much bigger [now]. So, the fact that wherever it’s going to be for the team, whatever I can do for the city of Tampa Bay and get that place rocking is something I’m willing to do.”

Keionte Scott Excited To Join Rueben Bain Jr. In Tampa Bay

Considered to be a second to third round prospect, the Bucs landing Keionte Scott in the middle of the fourth round has been regarded as a tremendous value from various draft analysts. Scott provides another secondary piece to get creative with, and he is eager to reunite with Rueben Bain Jr.

“Yeah, man, definitely, that is going to be super exciting to get that opportunity again,” Scott said. “As the season went on, starting to compete with Bain, [we were] having little locker room talks like, ‘Man, I want your tackles,’ kind of like racing to the ball. So, it’s just fun to be around somebody that plays the game the way Rueben does. I’m definitely excited about that.”

Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Photo by IMAGN Images – Jerome Miron

With Bain (9.5 sacks) and Scott (five sacks) finding ways to pile up sacks last season, Tampa Bay has added juice to the pass rush on all levels of the defense. That is not to mention inside linebacker Josiah Trotter and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart, two other draft picks who will factor in getting after the quarterback in 2026.

“Yeah, I think you’ve got to shout out Rueben Bain [Jr.] there, being on the same side,” Scott said about his blitzing ability. “You’ve got to kind of worry about him a little bit, so that allowed me to kind of be freed up. We work with each other, and that’s why this is so special to me and so special to him because we’ve built something already, so getting to build on that…

“Ultimately, I would just say understanding that at the end of the day when you get sent on a blitz, your brothers are [back there]. I play defensive back, so I understand how it is when you’re blitzing and you’re waiting [like] somebody better get home. So, I just take that in mind that I’ve got my brothers back there, and when I get that call to go, I take that with me on the way.”

Not only will he take that with him across the state, but he will bring a chip on the shoulder mentality, too. Scott will turn 25 years old in August after taking a lengthier route to the pros. He played two years in junior college before transferring to Auburn and spending three years there. After being a sixth-year senior, he has the hunger to prove himself again in the NFL.

Keionte Scott will have every chance to if his abilities translate, and he is eager to showcase what kind of player he is.

“A straight ‘dawg,’ man – a player that doesn’t need anything but an opportunity,” Scott said. “At the end of the day, that’s what I have now. I’m looking forward to taking full advantage of it.”