Eric Scott Jr. Bio
Eric Scott Jr. (born August 7, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick in 2023. Scott began his professional career with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Kansas City Chiefs organization where he continues to develop his craft as a defensive back.
Early Life and Background
Eric Scott Jr. was born on August 7, 1998, in Basehor, Kansas, United States. He attended Basehor-Linwood High School in his hometown where he established himself as a notable defensive player. During his high school career, Scott appeared in 33 games and accumulated 126 tackles including 5 tackles for loss. He also recorded 9 interceptions and 13 passes defensed, demonstrating the playmaking ability that would define his collegiate career.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school, Scott accepted a football scholarship from Illinois State University. As a redshirt freshman with the Redbirds, he appeared in 4 games in a backup role, gaining valuable experience at the Division I level. Seeking more playing time and opportunity, Scott transferred to Butler Community College for the 2019 season. At Butler CC, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 11 tackles with 2 interceptions, continuing to refine his skills as a developing cornerback prospect.
Eric Scott Jr. Career
College Career at Southern Miss (2020–2022)
Scott transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi in 2020 and immediately made an impact. As a junior in that season, he appeared in 9 games with 5 starts, collecting 31 tackles, 1 interception, and 5 passes defensed. He recorded 8 tackles against Louisiana Tech University and 7 tackles against Tulane University, showing consistency against quality opponents. His performance earned him a larger role heading into the following season.
In 2021 as a senior, Scott appeared in all 12 games with 11 starts, posting 20 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries. He contributed 3 tackles against Troy University and the University of Texas at El Paso, demonstrating his reliability in the secondary. Returning for a super senior season in 2022, Scott appeared in 12 games and compiled 27 tackles including 2 for loss, along with 7 passes defended. Notably, he recorded 2 interceptions that season, both returned for touchdowns, showcasing his ability to make game-changing plays.
Professional Career
Eric Scott Jr. entered the 2023 NFL Draft as a late-round prospect with solid collegiate tape and special teams potential. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the sixth round with the 178th overall pick. The selection came through a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the Cowboys traded a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire the pick used to draft Scott. This connection would later prove significant in his professional journey.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–2024)
Scott joined the Dallas Cowboys organization following the 2023 NFL Draft with expectations of contributing on special teams and developing as a depth cornerback. However, as a rookie, he was declared inactive for every game of the 2023 season and never saw the field during his inaugural professional campaign. The lack of playing time presented challenges for his development but also provided opportunities to learn the professional game from the sidelines.
Heading into the 2024 season, Scott faced increased competition during training camp. He was passed on the depth chart by rookie Caelen Carson and third-year player Andrew Booth Jr., making his path to the active roster increasingly difficult. The Cowboys ultimately waived Scott on August 26, 2024, concluding his tenure with the organization after one season on the roster without any regular-season appearances.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
Scott was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 28, 2024, providing him with a fresh opportunity with a franchise known for developing defensive talent. However, his time on the active roster was brief, as he was waived just two days later. The Chiefs quickly re-signed him to their practice squad on September 3, 2024, allowing him to continue developing within their system and learn their defensive schemes.
Scott demonstrated the perseverance that characterizes successful NFL players, continuing to work and improve while on the practice squad. His dedication paid off when he signed a reserve/future contract with Kansas City on February 11, 2025, securing his place with the organization for the long term. This contract represented a significant milestone in his professional career and reflected the coaching staff’s belief in his potential.
Playing Style and Strengths
Eric Scott Jr. stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighs 197 pounds (89 kg), giving him the size and physicality teams look for in a boundary cornerback. His collegiate career demonstrated ball skills with 9 career interceptions across his time at Southern Miss, including 2 returned for touchdowns in his final season. Scott showed the ability to play multiple techniques and align against various receiver types, though his path to consistent NFL playing time remains a work in progress as he continues to develop at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scott’s professional journey includes several significant moments that have shaped his early NFL career. Being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft marked the realization of his childhood dream to play in the NFL. The unusual circumstances of his draft selection, involving a trade with the Chiefs, created a serendipitous connection to his future team. His claim and subsequent practice squad placement with Kansas City represented a crucial second opportunity, while his February 2025 reserve/future contract extension demonstrated his ability to earn organizational trust through persistence and development.
Eric Scott Jr. Career Statistics
Scott’s professional career statistics remain limited as he has not yet appeared in a regular-season NFL game. His collegiate career at Southern Miss produced solid numbers across three seasons, including multiple interceptions and consistent pass deflection totals that demonstrated his coverage abilities and playmaking instincts at the Division I level.
College Statistics (Southern Miss)
Over three seasons with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles from 2020 to 2022, Scott appeared in 33 games with 16 starts. He accumulated 78 tackles including 2 for loss, recorded 5 interceptions with 2 returned for touchdowns, and tallied 19 passes defensed. His most productive statistical season came in 2022 when he recorded 7 passes defensed and 2 interception returns for scores, showing his development into a playmaking cornerback at the collegiate level.
Professional Career Summary
As a professional, Scott has been a member of two NFL franchises since entering the league as a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. His career has been defined by development and perseverance, moving from an inactive rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys to earning a futures contract with the Kansas City Chiefs through dedicated work on the practice squad. He continues to pursue his goal of becoming a consistent contributor on an NFL defense.
Family
Personal Life
Eric Scott Jr. grew up in Basehor, Kansas, where his high school career laid the foundation for his football journey. His path through the junior college system before transferring to Southern Miss demonstrates his commitment to pursuing his NFL dreams despite obstacles. Scott has maintained connections to his Kansas roots throughout his collegiate and professional career, representing his home state at multiple program levels.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Eric Scott Jr. enters his third professional year with renewed opportunity and expectations within the Kansas City Chiefs organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in February 2025, Scott has the chance to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp and preseason. His development over two seasons of practice squad experience has prepared him to make the leap to regular NFL competition if given the opportunity.