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Keionte Scott dishes on Auburn's experienced, competitive DB room

Justin Hokansonby:Justin Hokanson•08/04/23•

_JHokanson

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Keionte Scott (Photo by Auburn Athletics)

AUBURN — Auburn football is blessed with an experienced and talented defensive back room. Projected starter at nickel Keionte Scott talked with the media on Friday about the progress the secondary has made and how he sees things entering fall camp.

“It’s just a challenge, everyday our goal in the room is just to get better everyday,” Scott said. “Really as a defense with us being so talented, the only ways we are able to give up things is just little mistakes. Being able to hone in on the little things, knowing the checks, thinking fast and all playing on the same level mentally and physically. I think it really just comes with chemistry. We are all different talents with different abilities. Being able to all come in and be able to think as one DB group no matter who is in the game will be good for us.”

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Scott joins Donovan Kaufman, Nehemiah Pritchett, JD Rhym, Zion Puckett, Jaylin Simpson, Caleb Wooden and Austin Ausberry as returning players, with Kayin Lee, Tyler Scott, Sylvester Smith, Terrance Love and CJ Johnson all arriving as freshmen.

“I think that will benefit us most. At the end of the day, it gets to a point where the younger guys don’t have to go to the coaches to get adjustments,” Scott said. “They can hit us in our group chat, or in the meeting room. We are able to be on the field and be able to help them. Having a veteran group is going to help us a lot this year.”

Kaufman is Scott’s main competition at nickel, with redshirt freshman Ausberry and true freshman Smith also adding depth at the position as fall camp begins.

“Sylvester Smith, he has been good, he has been asking me questions, coming in and asking me questions. He’s been good. High motor, a kid that wants to be out there and loves the game. You can tell he really loves playing football,” Scott said.

“With our DB group there really won’t be a drop off when everyone gets to the same level. I feel like a lot of our freshman like Sylvester, Colton, T-Love, T Scott, I feel like all of those guys once they get caught up are going to be able to contribute.

“We pride ourself in our DB group that we don’t drop off, no matter who is in the game. We are all playing at the same level. With us, we’re communicating like how did you think on that play or how do I look at that. At the end of the day we want to win, it isn’t a problem or anything, we want to win.”

Scott sees the Tigers’ depth as a real asset.

“I definitely think it is more of everybody wanting to make the play or wanting to get to the ball,” Scott said. “I think that hunger we all have and the depth that we have now. Being able to put guys in the game, it is going to be the same thing. I think that separates teams and defenses, being able to rotate guys and keep guys fresh.”

While there’s plenty of veteran presence on the team, Scott is more confident than ever in his growing leadership abilities.

“I feel like I am at more of a comfortable state now,” Scott said. “I feel like this year I am more confident being able to speak, know what I’m talking about, and being able to lead in the right direction. That was big for me, making sure I am able to put everyone in their place and stuff like that. Just being confident and it has been showing this year.”

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