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  • Fighting Illini All-Big Ten DB Miles Scott Taken By Denver Broncos In The Seventh Round

Fighting Illini All-Big Ten DB Miles Scott Taken By Denver Broncos In The Seventh Round

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Football

Fighting Illini All-Big Ten defensive back Miles Scott was selected Saturday by the Denver Broncos in Round 7 (No. 246 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Scott is the third Fighting Illini picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, following EDGE Gabe Jacas' selection by the New England Patriots (Round 2, No. 55), and OL J.C. Davis who was selected by the New York Giants (Round 6, No. 192).  

A product of Dolton, Ill., Scott spent five seasons at Illinois, starting his career as a wide receiver before switching positions to defense back where he became a two-time team captain and All-Big Ten performer as the anchor of the Illini secondary at the safety position.

Scott played in 55 games as an Illini, starting 37 of his final 38 games played on the defensive side of the ball over the last three seasons. He recorded 182 career tackles (131 solo), with four tackles for loss, one sack, and seven interceptions – two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Scott helped the Orange and Blue to one of the most successful eras in program history. During his five years in Orange and Blue from 2021-25, the Fighting Illini won 37 games, tying the program record for the most wins in a five-year period since 1901-05. Over his two seasons as a team captain in 2024 and 2025, the Illini won a program-record 19 games, posting back-to-back seasons with nine or more wins for the first time in program history.

NOTES

  • 261st NFL Draft pick in Illinois program history
  • 59th NFL Draft pick in Bret Bielema's 17 seasons as a head coach
  • First Illinois DB selected since 2023 when Seattle chose Devon Witherspoon (Round 1, No. 5), Washington selected Quan Martin (Round 2, No. 47), and Philadelphia drafted Sydney Brown (Round 3, No. 66).
  • Fifth Illinois DB selected in Bret Bielema's five seasons at Illinois, a run that began with Kerby Joseph's selection by Detroit in 2022 (Round 3, No. 97).  
  • Fourth Illini drafted by the Denver Broncos and the first since WR Pat Bryant in 2025 (Round 3, No. 74). Scott's former Illinois teammate OL Alex Palcziewski also signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2023.