Illinois football star defensive back Xavier Scott will return for the 2025 season, he announced on Sunday. Scott was the Illini’s lone All-Big Ten First Team selection this past season, totaling 44 tackles, six pass breakups, four interceptions (T-2nd Big Ten), one defensive touchdown, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble.
- During his three-year Illini career, Scott started 24 games and totaled 116 tackles, 18 pass breakups, six interceptions and three forced fumbles.
- Scott was the fourth Illini defensive back to earn All-Big Ten First Team honors under head coach Bret Bielema, joining Devon Witherspoon (2022), Sydney Brown (2022) and Kerby Joseph (2021). Prior to Bielema’s arrival, the last Illini First Team defensive back was Vontae Davis (2008).
- Scott elected to return to school rather than declare for the 2025 NFL Draft as an early entrant.
Why it matters: It’s been a pretty darn good offseason from a retention standpoint. Quarterback Luke Altmyer announced his return to Illinois for the 2025 season rather than entertaining options to enter the transfer portal for a big payout away from the Illini. All-Big Ten left tackle J.C. Davis announced on Saturday that he’ll return for the 2025 season rather than declaring for the NFL Draft (and taking advantage of the Diego Pavia ruling for an additional year of eligibility). The Illini now await All-Big Ten edge rusher Gabe Jacas‘ decision.
What it means: Returning a First Team All-Big Ten (media) selection is a huge deal. Scott is experienced and one of the most talented defensive backs in the conference. His return gives continuity to an Illini secondary that has lacked it in recent years after the departures of Sydney Brown, Quan Martin and Devon Witherspoon as well as continued coaching changes at the position. Scott, Matthew Bailey, Miles Scott, Kaleb Patterson and Torrie Cox Jr. all return after starting this past season and helping the defense improve along with four transfer additions to the defensive front. Scott likely would have had a late-round grade – and NFL scouts think highly of Illinois-made defensive backs – but has a chance to climb draft boards with a big season. He was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football, this past season and should be on a number of preseason watch lists. He does have versatility to play STAR (the position he’s started each of the last two seasons) or outside cornerback, but he likely will stick at the STAR where he’s blossoming into a star. Plus, he’ll get a season with his brother, Xanai Scott, in college football.
What’s next: The Illini are awaiting a decision on outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, who earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors after he had 66 tackles, 10 TFLs (T-13th Big Ten) and 8.0 sacks (6th Big ten) while forcing three fumbles (T-1st Big Ten) and recovering one.
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