2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Illinois Safety Miles Scott

Miles Scott defines what it means to be an underdog. He was under-recruited coming out of high school and, until last year, was underappreciated by many scouts. But Scott has drawn attention for his play on the field, as opposing coaches need to account for him on every play. 

Scott is a sneaky good athlete. He played receiver in high school and was initially recruited for that position before arriving on campus. As a result, he possesses advanced ball skills and has an understanding of route development that he uses to his advantage. He also has soft hands and a command of the defense from an offensive player’s perspective. 

Once in Champaign, Scott flipped to the defensive side of the ball, and there was no looking back. He’s quickly become one of the best safeties in the Big Ten.

Strengths

Scott began to start for the Illini in 2023 and has been a model of consistency, captaining the defensive backfield ever since. He’s a playmaker and electric at times, already recording several pick-sixes in his collegiate career. 2024 was a breakout year for Scott, tallying 55 tackles, 2 picks, and 6 pass breakups. He’s got the size to play at the next level and does equally well in coverage as he does playing in the box, close to the line of scrimmage. And Scott is the quarterback of his defense, playing the game with the football IQ of a starting signal caller. 

From a skill set perspective, Scott does well in mirroring the routes of his assigned receiver, and he reacts quickly when gameplay changes direction on him. He’s physical and plays smart, situational defense, always aware of the down and distance. He breaks on the ball well, and his previous offensive experience brings him a unique perspective to his position. 

Weaknesses

Miles Scott, while an incredible athlete, isn’t the fleetest of foot. He has adequate speed, but he’s not a burner. This may hurt his overall draft stock, even if his football IQ and awareness keep him in the right position. This will lead some scouts to question how well he will do against twitchy NFL slot receivers and or deep ball specialists. 

And his size is acceptable but not prototypical for NFL safeties these days. He’s a sturdy 210 lbs., but he’s 5’11”, which again is acceptable but not exceptional, and taller, lengthier receivers might be able to take advantage of that. 

Conclusion 

Draft Nation expects Scott to come off the board on day two of the NFL Draft. He’s a leader with the ability to create turnovers, which will attract the attention of scouts. His versatility and ability to play well on special teams will also raise his profile. 

If he performs well at the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl, he can improve his stock. Scott has the talent and intelligence to be a starter at the pro level, and some lucky team will get a steal if he slips into round three.