The Illinois football representatives had their time with Dave Revsine at Big Ten Media Days, and Xavier Scott had some refreshing answers.
It is that time of year again, when Illini players head to a boring convention center to make their rounds for Big Ten Media Days. This year it is in Las Vegas, and while the Illini can’t gamble on themselves, I am sure many are taking a chance with this historic, yet upstart, program.
Among the Illinois players who traveled to Las Vegas for Big Ten Media Days was cornerback Xavier Scott. The 5-foot-11 senior is coming off a big season where he had 49 tackles, six pass deflections, four interceptions, and a pick-six.
Scott’s numbers and clear talent on the field made him a prime candidate for the 2025 NFL Draft. He could have followed in some great footsteps, those of Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown in recent years. But the reason behind staying was a sobering, yet refreshingly honest, assessment of the situation.
“You know, this new world of NIL. That kind of made it a little bit easier.”
The first words that Scott thought of had to deal with NIL, and that is understandable. College players can make money while playing football, and Illinois was clearly able to offer him enough that coming back for one more season was palatable. That also doesn’t tarnish what Illinois is building either.
“Illinois is definitely family. They preach family,” Scott said, “Why not come back to Illinois for one more year, just to shine and polish and get my game together. Get one more time to do this thing with my boys.”
Xavier Scott had his decision down to just two options after the 2024 season
With the college landscape the way it is, there are so many players who see the transfer portal as a way to cash in from big-time programs. Players now have leverage, and they can use that to make more money.
What Illinois has built in the short time Bret Bielema has been in Champaign has helped steer Scott in the direction of returning.
“It’s just a testament to what type of program the University of Illinois is. It’s truly what it is. It’s truly love. It’s truly family there.”
Coming back was likely a tough decision, as the NFL is so enticing. It was probably a dream of Scott’s to play at the next level, but the decision didn’t have a ton of variables like other players had.
“The only decision for me was to go to the NFL. I think that was the only decision; Illinois or the NFL. It was the league or come back to Illinois. We chose to come back to Illinois.”
Illinois now has their best cornerback in tow. Scott is in line to be the next Illini defensive back to be selected in the NFL Draft, but those dreams will just have to wait one more season. Scott has a dream 2025 campaign to dominate, filled with promise and what many hope is a College Football Playoff berth.