Player comparison

Kelley Jones

Dean Kindig

2nd-Lowest passer rating when targeted, draftable SEC CBs in 2025. Only Delane was better. 21.7% completion rate when targeted this season. Played in 27 career games with 17 starts. Switched from No. 29 to No. 1 ahead of the 2024 season. Won the inaugural 'Fast as Hail' competition in the summer of 2024 as the teams fastest player. Following the 2025 season, Jones had 63 tackles, 12 pass breakup, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 13 games. Third Team All-SEC by leagues head coaches. First Team All-SEC by PFSN. Fourth Team All-SEC by Phil Steele. Tallied 34 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. Returned a blocked PAT for 2-points in the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest (1/2)..

Xavier Scott

Dean Kindig

Scott was a foundational breakout underclassman corner during Jim Leonhard's defensive schematic overhaul at Illinois. Scott mastered the slot-blitz and fluid zone coverage switches that define a classic Leonhard-influenced secondary. Positional flexibility to switch flawlessly between perimeter cornerback and nickel makes him an immensely valuable commodity. DNP due to ankle vs USC. Scott led the Big Ten in pass breakups (11) and tied for the conference lead in passes defended (14), Tied for second in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation in interceptions (4) during the regular season, 5 solos in the Illini's only 2024 scouted game vs Oregon. Consistent missed tackle rate (8%), ball skills (12 PBU & 6 INT in 23-24). 2025 Senior. No. 139 overall player in college football according to CBS.com's spring rankings, Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team, 2024 Junior. All-Big Ten First Team (Media and AP). Started all 13 games at DB. Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist as one of the top 15 defensive backs in college football, Led Big Ten cornerbacks in snaps played (792), No. 3-ranked cornerback in the Big Ten by PFF (82.3), No. 4-ranked tackling grade among cornerbacks in the Big Ten by PFF (85.1),. First player in the nation to force three turnovers in a game in 2024 (Kansas, 9/7/24). Recorded his first-career pick-six and his first-career two-interception game against Kansas (9/7/24).13GP-49TT-2TFL-4INT-6PBU in '24.