Keionte Scott Listed as Probable Ahead of CFP Clash vs. Texas A&M - And That’s a Big Deal for Miami
The Miami Hurricanes just got a major boost ahead of their College Football Playoff showdown with Texas A&M. Star defensive back Keionte Scott, who’s been sidelined since mid-November with a foot injury, has officially been listed as probable on the initial injury report. And for a defense that’s already been playing lights-out, this could be the final piece of the puzzle for head coach Mario Cristobal.
Scott hasn’t seen the field since Nov. 15, missing the final three games of the regular season. But Cristobal has been optimistic all week, and on Monday he said he felt "very strongly" that Scott would be ready. Now, it looks like that confidence is paying off.
Let’s be clear - Scott isn’t just another starter. He’s been a difference-maker all season long.
In his first nine games, he racked up 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and six quarterback hurries. He’s been disruptive at every level of the field.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 90.3 on defense - that’s the fourth-highest mark among all cornerbacks with at least 100 snaps this year. That’s elite company.
And yet, even without him, Miami’s defense hasn’t flinched. Over the last four games - largely without Scott - the Hurricanes have allowed just 34 total points.
That’s not just holding the line; that’s dominating. It’s a big reason why Miami punched its ticket to the CFP in the first place.
But now comes a different kind of test.
Texas A&M brings a dynamic offense led by dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed, one of the most electric playmakers in the SEC. He’s the kind of QB who forces defenses to stay honest - and disciplined - on every snap. And if the Aggies get star running back Le’Veon Moss back from an ankle injury (he’s listed as questionable), that’s another layer of pressure on Miami’s front and secondary.
That’s why Scott’s return matters so much. His versatility gives Miami options.
He can lock down receivers in man coverage, blitz off the edge, or provide support in the run game. He’s a Swiss Army knife in a Hurricanes defense that thrives on speed and aggression.
But Scott’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
He’s a sixth-year redshirt senior. A veteran voice.
A leader in a locker room full of rising stars. Cristobal has often pointed to Scott’s mentality and approach to rehab as a model for the rest of the team.
When a guy like that returns for the biggest game of the season, it doesn’t just lift the secondary - it lifts the entire roster.
Before transferring to Miami, Scott built his name at Auburn, where he started 23 games across three seasons after a standout JUCO career at Snow College. He was a two-time JUCO All-American and co-defensive player of the year before taking his talents to the SEC. At Auburn, he logged 115 tackles, six tackles for loss, and became one of the conference’s top punt returners, averaging over 10 yards per return - including a 74-yard touchdown against Arkansas in 2022.
That pedigree, that experience, and that production - it all adds up to a player who’s built for the moment.
Now, with the stakes at their highest, Miami gets one of its most important players back. And if Keionte Scott is anything close to full strength, the Hurricanes just became a whole lot tougher to beat.