Auburn CB Keionte Scott plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

AUBURN — Auburn defensive back Keionte Scott plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Scott started at nickel and cornerback over the last two seasons, and served as Auburn’s primary punt returner in 2023. Scott was a primary team leader. He earned praise from Hugh Freeze during the season with Freeze saying, “Keionte is a leader,” and, “you always get the best from him.”

Scott played 469 snaps this past season. That was third most among Auburn’s defensive backs behind DJ James and Jaylin Simpson. Both James and Simpson are headed to the NFL. Fellow cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett is also headed to the pros.

Former defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff, who is headed to Texas A&M, praised Scott during fall camp. “He’s a serious-minded individual” who “loves football” and “comes to work every day prepared,” McGriff said.

The news is shocking. On December 11, Scott announced his return to Auburn, releasing a video through social media that Auburn athletics helped produce.

On December 18, Scott talked about his decision. Scott said he wanted to graduate from Auburn and believed “100 percent” in Freeze and the direction of the program.

Career production: In two seasons at Auburn, Scott has 97 tackles, six tackles for loss and one interception.

Bookmark the Auburn Live Scholarship Tracker and keep tabs on current football roster numbers throughout the recruiting and transfer portal season.

Bookmark the Auburn football transfer portal offer running tracker as updates happen in real time.

What does Keionte Scott’s departure mean?

There’s no way around this one. The surprising loss of Keionte Scott is a significant blow to not only Auburn’s defense, but the leadership and culture of the team. By all accounts, Scott was helping develop the culture Freeze and co. wanted at Auburn. A veteran and a really good player, Scott’s return was a big deal for 2024. On the field, Scott was planning on starting at the outside corner position next season. Without Scott, Auburn is incredibly thin and young in the secondary, as Scott was the main upperclassmen and experienced player set to return. On the field and off the field, Scott’s loss hurts and isn’t the news Freeze needed days after an embarrassing bowl loss. Impact of Scott’s departure: Major

Hugh Freeze opines on handling the transfer portal

What will Auburn’s roster look like next season? How many players will Freeze and co. sign in the 2024 class? The transfer portal? Freeze still isn’t sure how it will all play out. He talked about it two days after the Iron Bowl.

“I don’t think there’s any possible way any coach can sit here and tell you how he’s going to come up with his 85. I’d love to sit here and tell you we’re going to build it with high school kids…I’d love to say that, but this week if I have 10 guys walk in and say they’re going to transfer and I haven’t been recruiting enough high school kids, it’s impossible to say that. I have no idea how the makeup of the 85 will look in what we have to replace. Do we have to replace just 22? Do we have to replace 32? None of us know. I think that’s become the biggest challenge for us coaches is how do we even manage the 85.

Track the latest NCAA Transfer Portal happenings

“It will take you all the way through spring and summer to figure that out because of the way the portal windows are set up. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that this portal window we’re getting ready to have is as long as it is. It makes no sense. We have to go through Christmas worrying about people tampering with players on your team. Either they know they are going or they’re not. Give them December 1 through the 10th, make your decision and move on. This idea of this long portal window, it wasn’t made by anybody having to live it, I can assure you.”

And on the topic of re-recruiting your own roster, how will Freeze handle those conversations?

“Only way I know how to be is totally transparent. Tell them the truth. The truth for some is your chances to play here are probably slim. The truth for others is there’s an element of patience that needs to be involved in your decision. If you could just be patient and not listen to the voices that want immediate gratification or certainly, you have the money aspect that’s involved in all of this now. You should choose the place and the culture and environment that’s going to shape you for the long term, the long haul. I think everything is better when you are in that environment yourself. Some need to have patience and other discussions will be truthful with how we see you fitting into this roster.”

Track transfer portal activity

While the NCAA transfer portal database is private, the On3 Network has streamlined the reporting process tracking player movement.

If you find yourself asking, ‘How can I track transfer portal activity?’ our well-established network of reporters and contacts across college athletics keeps you up to speed in several ways, from articles written about players as they enter and exit the transfer portal or find their new destination, to our social media channels, to our Transfer Portal Wire.

The transfer portal wire provides a real-time feed of player activity, including basic player profile information, transfer portal ranking and original On3 Industry recruiting ranking, as well as NIL valuation (name, image and likeness).

Follow the On3 Transfer Portal Twitter account for real-time updates on the transfer portal entries and commitments.