Patrick Embleton Executive Director of Personnel and Recruiting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Patrick Embleton Executive Director of Personnel and Recruiting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott has confirmed his return to the team for the 2025 season. Scott, who was a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, played a crucial role in Illinois' successful 2024 campaign. The team tied its program record for wins in a season with ten victories, including a win over No. 14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Scott's performance in 2024 included starting all 13 games at cornerback and earning All-Big Ten First Team honors from the media. He also received an honorable mention on Phil Steele's All-America list. Over his three seasons with Illinois, Scott has appeared in 36 games with 25 starts, recording six interceptions, three forced fumbles, 121 tackles, and defending against 24 passes.
In the Big Ten conference last year, Scott ranked second with four interceptions and was among the top five cornerbacks in snaps (792), PFF grade (82.3), and PFF tackling grade (85.1). One of his notable performances included returning an interception for a touchdown against Kansas.
The upcoming season will see Xavier playing alongside his brother Xanai Scott, who joined Illinois as a three-star recruit from Riviera Beach, Florida. Xavier is one of fourteen Illini players recognized with All-Big Ten honors this season; twelve of them have the option to return next year.
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