CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- Fifth year Illinois senior defensive back Xavier Scott talked with WCIA 3 Sports Director Glenn Kinley Thursday during the 5 p.m. newscast. Scott is looking to have a bounce back year after getting injured during Week 3 against Western Michigan in the 2025 campaign. He announced his return to Illinois in January and has been named to the Athlon preseason All-Big Ten third team ahead of this season.
2026 Illinois wide receiver room preview "It definitely feels great to be back on the football field," Scott said. "It was pretty bad sitting there watching my teammates play ball, but I'm back now and I'm ready just to reassess myself and get back out there on the field with my brothers again and just have fun again." In 2024, Scott was named a Phil Steele All-America honorable mention selection and to the All-Big Ten first team by the media after notching 49 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 4 INTs, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble while starting all 13 games. He also led the conference in snaps played by a cornerback that season (792). The Fighting Illini kick off the 2026 season with a home game against UAB on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.