What Keionte Scott's return could mean for Auburn football in 2024

The Tigers are set to bring back their playmaking nickel and punt returner. That might be important for next year in more ways than one.

DB Keionte Scott (Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers)

After adding a deep and talented recruiting class to a secondary that returned virtually every veteran for the 2023 season, no one would have been surprised if Auburn had to hit a complete reset button at the position group for 2024.

D.J. James graded out as a top-tier cover cornerback and might have played his way into Day 2 territory in the NFL Draft.

Jaylin Simpson was an All-SEC talent at safety, making plenty of impact plays as one of the true stars of the season.

Keionte Scott had turned into a strong two-year starter at nickel from the JUCO ranks.

Nehemiah Pritchett and Zion Puckett had spent several years playing quite a lot of football for the Tigers at defensive back, too.

Two days after a crushing late loss to Alabama, Hugh Freeze brought up the need to get the Tigers’ young defensive backs ready for 2024 during bowl season. Auburn has been bracing for the impact of a lot of departures.

While James, Simpson and Pritchett all accepted their Senior Bowl invites — meaning they would be going pro in 2024 — Scott’s name was noticeably absent. The annual draft showcase in Mobile invited Scott, but he wasn’t on the “accepted” graphics and tweets over the last couple of weeks.

Then, on Monday morning, Scott officially announced why: His time at Jordan-Hare was not done yet.

Scott will return to Auburn for his final year of college eligibility in 2024, meaning that the Tigers won’t lose all of their regular starters in the secondary.

And Scott’s return could have long-reaching effects on how Auburn shapes its roster for next year and how the defense performs in what needs to be a step-up season.