Xavier Scott
Xavier Scott
Hits like a linebacker and still takes the ball away. He has spent four seasons in the Illinois secondary. 2024 brought the first one: All-Big Ten. One game to point at: 3 tackles, 1.5 TFL against Western Michigan — Week 3, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- recognition record
- game log
Career Arc
Trophy Case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-CONFERENCE
All-Conf mention (2024)
All-Big Ten
Coaching Lineage · 2022–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Bret Bielema.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 3 · RecognizedR09 · All-Conference HM / 2nd team
All-Conference HM / 2nd team. Conference recognition has started.
Recognition
Production
Trophy Case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-CONFERENCE
All-Conf mention (2024)
All-Big Ten
Career stats
How he plays
Play style
Hits like a linebacker and still takes the ball away.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · Illinois
Returning around him
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -8 net (19 in / 27 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Illinois · Last season: 9-4 (AP #23) · Talent rank #64 · 2026 recruiting class #24
DNA match
Player DNA
Rover
Hits like a linebacker and still takes the ball away.
His 2024 production profile sits closest to Donte Kent’s 2023 season.
Matches Donte on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Markevious Brown's junior season at Purdue (2023).
Matches Markevious on
Background
Pronunciation: EX-ay-veer University of Illinois Graduate 2024 Phil Steele All-America Honorable Mention Two-Time All-Big Ten 2026 Senior Announced his return to Illinois on Jan. 15, 2026 2025 Senior Played and started the first three games of the season Redshirted the season Injured in Week 3 ho...