Setting the standard: Auburn's Keionte Scott

AUBURN, Ala. – After shaking hands with Arkansas players Saturday, Keionte Scott jogged to the corner of the stadium where Auburn’s fans, pep band and cheerleaders were waiting, to thank them for traveling all the way to Fayetteville to see the Tigers prevail 48-10.

“It’s super important to thank the fans for going on the road and purchasing those tickets,” Scott said. “I always want to show our appreciation and show them the same love they show us.”

To those he can’t reach personally, Scott sends social media shoutouts.

“Complete stadium takeover,” he posted after Auburn fans filled FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Nov. 4 when the Tigers beat Vanderbilt 31-15. “We love you Auburn family.”

“It’s very big for me to give them insight and keep them excited about the program,” Scott said. “It’s very important to me.”

On the third play of Auburn’s game against Samford game on Sept. 16, Scott suffered a high ankle sprain that required a procedure called tightrope surgery to mend. 

After missing three games, Scott returned 35 days later when Auburn played Ole Miss on Oct. 21.  The following week, he made seven tackles against Mississippi State to help the Tigers earn the first of three consecutive SEC victories.

“During the surgery and the healing, Auburn fans flooded my DMs showing their love and appreciation for me,” Scott said. “I read a bunch of messages and was very encouraged by it. I’m not shocked at all by the love I received during that time.

“Being in the training room and not out there was hurting me. The main goal was to get back and get healthy. The training staff put together a great plan thanks to Robbie (Stewart, Auburn’s head football athletic trainer) and his team. To get back and play confidently was my main thing and I feel like I’ve done that.”

Scott’s swift return earned his teammates’ respect.

“Being able to come back, I feel like a light in the room,” Scott said. “It motivates guys to see what I went through and be able to stay focused in that moment and get back. It showed how much I care for this football team and they appreciate that.

“I appreciate them. We have a good connection. To be able to make plays, I think they feed off that and we feed off each other.” 

A two-year starter in the secondary, Scott also shines on special teams. Against Arkansas, he returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, earning SEC special teams player of the week honors.

“My main goal is to work on catching the ball and getting my eyes down to scan the field. As soon as I got my eyes down, I saw green grass,” Scott said of Auburn’s first punt return for a touchdown since 2014. “To get vertical on that return was super big thanks to great blocks from my teammates.”

Scott credited fellow Auburn special teamers Champ Anthony and Kayin Lee for blocking Arkansas’ gunners, providing Keionte space to operate.

“It’s a goal to provide that edge on special teams,” said Scott, who logged a 56-yard punt return in Auburn’s season opening win vs. Massachusetts. “Being recognized throughout the conference is big for me. Being able to make that play was big for the team.”

Scott’s dedication to Auburn extends beyond his leadership and on-field productivity.

He’s also earned the nickname “The Closer” for his recruiting prowess, connecting with prospective student-athletes during their visits to Auburn.

“Being able to give information on the player side of things is very important to me and it’s big for them,” Scott said. "I take pride in getting guys to come and buy in. It’s not necessarily selling anything because this is the real deal.

“I want to leave this place better than I found it. That’s something my mom raised me on. Being able to set the standard and lay the foundation is big for me.

“I want to be able to come back and see the DB room, the ‘JackBoyz’ (as Auburn’s secondary members refer to themselves) carrying on the standard.” 

After two junior college All-America seasons at Snow College in Utah, Scott signed with Auburn in 2022, making 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in his first season.

“Everything I was told during recruiting has been lived upon,” he said. “My main goal is to be completely honest with how I was accepted, being able to preach that and for them to feel that exact same feeling and get those same type of vibes from the program. It’s an easy thing to do.”

With the Dec. 20-22 early signing period drawing near, Scott takes pride in helping Auburn land a strong class.

“It’s getting a little close to Flipmas,” he said, referencing a recruiting term that indicates when a prospect decides to sign with a different school than the one to which he had been committed. “It’s going to be exciting, where this place will go. I’m excited to see where it will end with some of the guys who’ve seen how we finish the season.”

Recruiting success goes hand in hand with on-field success. Auburn’s three-game SEC win streak creates momentum that translates into increased interest from high-level recruits.  

“I don’t think a lot of teams could flip the script like we have,” Scott said. “It’s important to finish strong this year.”

After two consecutive road games, the Tigers return to Pat Dye Field Saturday to play New Mexico State at 3 p.m. CT.

“Going on the road is cool but it’s nothing like Jordan-Hare,” Scott said. “I’m excited to get back around the fans and I know the team is too.”

When his football career concludes, Scott aspires to open a training facility in his hometown of San Diego that prepares kids athletically and academically in hopes of earning scholarships to create a pathway to a debt-free education.

“How important that is and taking that load off your parents,” Scott said. “Give back to the community. I love being around kids, helping them achieve their goals and reach their dreams. I’m not sure if it will be coaching but it will involve mentoring.”

From San Diego, California - 2,000 miles from the Plains - Keionte Scott found a second family at Auburn.

“A home, literally,” Scott said. “A loving place that values football very highly as I do. It’s an easy place to become comfortable in.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer