Can Keionte Scott Start At Nickel?
September 1st, 2026
Rookie corner Keionte Scott.
While a lot of folks were focused on the Bucs’ first-round draft pick out of Miami, Rueben Bain, Joe was equally as geeked at how the Bucs stole one of Bain’s college teammates.
Keionte Scott elevated his game in last year’s college playoffs just like Bain did. Scott was the Hurricanes’ safety and he was just dominant in January. Even had a pick-six when he read the play like a book, shot down the field like he was blown out of a cannon, and housed a Julian Sayin pick against Ohio State.
Scott has proven himself so well in training camp that he appears to be the starting nickel. Jenna Laine of ESPN says he has the inside edge.
Despite missing time recovering from wrist surgery, Scott has proved to be a quick study and he’s in contention to be their starting nickel.
But here is the sad part: Scott sprained an ankle in that chickens(p)it “game” in Jacksonville playing in the second quarter. He didn’t need to be on the field.
Sprained ankles linger. And Joe thinks that just sucks that a good player, a rookie, right before he’s about to start Week 1, blows an ankle for no good reason.
Here’s to hoping that the sprain is very minor.
September 1st, 2026 at 4:51 am
Rookie nickel versus Joe Burrow Week 1. Nothing builds confidence like having your first driving lesson on the fricking Autobahn.
September 1st, 2026 at 5:27 am
Not worried.
We have had a rookie nickel 4 straight years I think.
Scott is just as good as Tykee and Jacob.
September 1st, 2026 at 5:44 am
moneybacker
if he wants the money he better back it up
September 1st, 2026 at 5:52 am
Maybe we crush Burrow and he gets ticked at Cincy and asks for a trade to somewhere warm like tampa
September 1st, 2026 at 6:05 am
So if Trotter is a three down ILB, who comes off the field when the “starting” nickel is playing? Anzalone? Diaby? I’m intrigued to see how this plays out.
If Bain, Walker, Trotter, and Scott are all on the field at the same time that’s nearly 40% of the defense being first year players on the field. Fascinating.
September 1st, 2026 at 6:27 am
If he was playing in that last preseason game in the second quarter, there was no chance he was truly in the competition for the starting Nickelback spot. Let’s try to be realistic here.
September 1st, 2026 at 6:57 am
Not mentioned a whole lot while talking about Bain and Scott is how they work together when Scott blitz’s. Bain takes an outside loop and the tackle goes with him. Scott shoots through the vacated hole. Can’t wait!
September 1st, 2026 at 7:39 am
I am not worried to much about Scott. I think he will be good. I am worried about McColumn.
September 1st, 2026 at 7:57 am
I’m more worried for McCollum he was abused so much last yr made me wish we had Vernon Hargreaves lol
September 1st, 2026 at 8:07 am
This Joe is funny. Not much of a football guy, but entertaining.
He doesn’t think a 4th round rookie needs to see some preseason action? Wonder if this is the same Joe that talks about how soft the Bucs were last year, then thinks a 4th round rookie playing the first half of a preseason game is asking too much or too risky.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:30 am
Brashho if not Scott then who