Back To School For Keionte Scott
August 7th, 2026
Rookie DB Keionte Scott.
Rookie Bucs cornerback Keionte Scott played six years of college football and he turns 25 next week.
This is no ordinary rookie and he’s not being treated as such.
As Joe has documented, Scott has been playing all over the Bucs; defensive backfield in training camp — safety, cornerback and nickel.
It appears the Bucs want him to be their starting nickel. And that’s a Todd Bowles thing: Tykee Smith was a rookie nickel (2024), taking over for then-rookie Christian Izien (2023). And Jacob Parrish got that done last year (2025) as a rookie. Why Bowles doesn’t seem to want an experienced nickel is unclear to Joe.
Scott told The Pat & Aaron Show on WDAE radio that practicing verywhere is setting him up to be an informed and prepared nickel. He sees it, in part, as a learning exercise to help him understand where his defensive back brothers are supposed to be.
Joe just hopes Scott’s maturity and experience makes him a great fit as a rookie nickel that can hit the ground running. There is no question in Joe’s mind that Joe Burrow will be salivating thinking about testing Scott on opening day — repeatedly.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Funny Joe, Burrow will be testing them all, period. No one is covering anymore if Burrow has time to throw. Only way we win opening day is putting Burrow on his arse, early, and often.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
“Only way we win opening day is putting Burrow on his arse, early, and often.” Well said Hodad!
Burrow will be running their offense and not really care about defensive weaknesses. They are that good. Just like Hodad said, knock him down – a lot.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Really like what Scott had to say at his presser about playing college and now prepping to play as a pro. 100% keyed in on the mental aspect of the game and already realizes that’s going to butter his bread as a player. Very encouraging stuff to hear from a guy in year 1.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Against the Bengals it will be time for the Bucs to feast on Burrows. I hope they bring plenty of condiments and their best silverware.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
His frontal lobe has finished forming.
He’s a Man now.
Our frontal lobes expand and grow physically until we are 25/26 as Men.
He is ready to rock.
He plays on fire and he is just as insane as Bain.
Our defense is going to look completely different than last year.
Robinson is a psycho. Anzalone is a killer. Trotter is a beast. Bain is a villain.
Sideshow Hall was soft and horrible. LVD and SVD were awful. Reddick was a joke. Dean hates to hit.
I think we are going to see a violent team this year.
Especially with Scott on the field as a nickle.
I believe Parish can be just as good as Ronde.
Ronde was also only 5-9 or 5-10.
Ronde was started on the outside but played nickle on 3rd down.
Parish will be fine on the outside.
I just don’t want to see Morrison on the field at all.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
I also want to trade Vea for a 1st and a CB.
Or a 1st and a young NT.
Vea is a Bucs icon. But. He’s 31. And we need to sign Yaya and Mauch.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS KID!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 7th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Warren Sharp has been highlighting Bengals camp a bit, talking about how they are running Burrow under center a lot and how in recent years that has not gone well for him.
Huge splits in EPA between under C and shotgun.
Hopefully Bengals are still working things out week 1 and our pass rush is fired up. You know Bain, Walker and Diaby will be. See who is healthy and starting on the DL.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
If we get a 2 nd round pick for Vea… take it and run, but…
He has no everage. He sits out, he loses about $1M per while getting closer to 32.
He will play… don’t listen to to his slimy agent.
Star players never feel they’ve aged any… and we don’t want to be saddled with a large extension or bye bye Mauch, Diaby… we gotta sign McLaughlin.
There’s also this Baker guy that needs some cash.
And QBs don’t age like DTs.
Back to the article… I like Scott. Hope he balls out… at nickle…. or safety… or CB… when blitzing… where ever!!
Go Bucs!
August 7th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
4.33 40 time….. 4.25 unofficially on another run
Dude can fly and it shows in games.
August 7th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Don’t judge any of the defensive rookies by how the first game goes. It’s a heck of tough draw to get Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr, Tee and Chad Brown as the first opponent out of the gate.
At least the NFL balances it out by putting them against the Browns in the second game, lol.
August 7th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Have the joes noticed/mentioned UDFA corner Ayden Garnes?
I’ve heard he’s flashed and recorded a pick or 2.
Josh Hayes has even had some moments 🤯
August 7th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Hodad Says:
Burrow will be testing them all, period. No one is covering anyone if Burrow has time to throw.
^^^^^^^^^^^
So on point.
Burrows + Ja’Mar Chase + Tee Higgins.
When healthy, that’s the best in the buisness.
The young Bucs DBs can’t cover those guys.
Without a passrush, the Beagals will run the score up.
Go Yaya, Baine, and Walker.
August 7th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
LouisFriend … ‘It’s a heck of tough draw to get Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr, Tee and Chad Brown as the first opponent out of the gate.’
I agree with you, but out of curiosity I went back to 2020 to see how the Bengals have performed on their opening game of each season. Burrows started all 6 games BTW, and the Bengals are 2-4 on 1st game of the season these past 6 years.
What caught me by surprise is that they’ve only scored a total of 90 points over those 6 years opening day games … 15 PPG average. Maybe it just takes them a game or 2 to ramp up?
August 7th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
I’m looking forward to this game to see what we really have on defense. Should be much improved over last year, but…. Todd Bowels.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
It was a mistake not retaining Christian Itzien- he was a great player