Michigan State Football: CB Josiah Scott is a tremendous NFL prospect

The Michigan State football program prides itself on a ground and pound offense to go along with a stout defense under the direction of Mark Dantonio.  I don’t expect much will change in Mel Tucker’s first year at the helm.  The Spartans will send one of the better slot-cornerbacks to the NFL in a week.

Josiah Scott may just be the top nickel-corner entering the NFL Draft in less than a week; he’s that good.  Scott could be a bit overlooked due to playing on a terrible performing Michigan State football team last season, but don’t be fooled, Scott is a tremendous talent.

Entering the start of the 2020 season, we predicted the Michigan State Spartans to produce one of the best defensive units in all of college football.  The Spartans settled as an average defense rather than elite, allowing 22.5 points per game, which ranked them 39th in the country.  Not a complete failure, but don’t forget; we expected this scrappy group to produce a top-10 defense.

Most of the team’s lack of success was due to an abysmal offense.  The Spartans offense ranked 105th out of 130 possible schools averaging just 22.4 points per game.  Entering the year, many expected tackle Raequan Williams and edge rusher Kenny Willikens to be first-round draft picks. Leaving Mike Panasiuk, Joe Bachie, and Josiah Scott all to be mid-round picks.

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As it turns out, I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott is the first Spartan taken in the NFL Draft next week.  He’s a tremendous talent.  Scott is explosive enough to make an immediate impact at the NFL level as a rookie.

Scott’s size limits him to being a slot corner.  He stands a 5-foot-9 and just 185-pounds.  He’s too small/light to battle with the physical outside receivers, but his quick punching ability allows him to workover slot receivers.  In today’s quick passing NFL league, top-slot corners are a premium.  Sure, teams still like to air it out, but in these spread offenses in 2020, the college game has spewed itself into the NFL.

NFL defenses play nickel and dime packages more often than base defenses.  The extra defensive backs used to just come on the football field on third downs; now they are on the field nearly all the time defending these explosive spread offenses.

Scott led Michigan State football with three interceptions last season, he also recorded 52 tackles and defended six passes along with forcing and recovering one fumble.

Scott ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, along with putting up an impressive 17 reps on the bench press.  He’s a tremendous talent covering the shifty slot receivers. He’s a pesky defender that regularly demonstrates fluid hips to go with his immense burst and quickness.

There is a chance Scott is selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. If not, I don’t see him escaping the fourth-round without needing to check the real estate pages for a new residence.