After spending two years as a backup wide receiver at Illinois, Miles Scott transitioned to safety ahead of the 2023 college football season, a decision that eventually led Scott to land in the NFL.
After being picked by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft last month, Scott was asked about recording a pick-six in his first career game on defense.
“We were sending a blitz, but I literally had no clue where the blitz was coming from,” Scott said. “Once I had seen whoever was going, I looked over there and saw the receiver running free down the middle of the field. I looked back, the ball was right there, I jumped and caught it and took it all the way back to the house. That is just a testament of me playing receiver and being able to catch the ball and run. That’s all receivers do, and I don’t even miss playing receiver because I love defense. I’m just grateful to have that.”
Scott played safety for three seasons with the Fighting Illini, recording seven interceptions. He totaled 136 return yards and scored two touchdowns on those takeaways.
“With Miles, I think the ball skills — I think he had seven interceptions throughout his career,” Broncos general manager George Paton said after the draft. “[He is] very physical for a former receiver, and instincts for a guy who hasn’t played it all that long. We thought he had really good anticipation and instincts, and thus he had the interceptions. I think he fits in with our group and what we look for in safeties.”
Scott joins a safety depth chart that already featured Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufunga and Devon Key last season, and the club also added veteran Tycen Anderson during free agency this spring. So Scott’s going to face tough competition for playing time as a rookie, but if he impresses this summer, the Illinois product could carve out a role in Year 1.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
