The 2020 NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday, April 23 and Michigan State is expected to have a number of players taken. Junior cornerback Josiah Scott left MSU early to pursue his professional career and is now viewed by many analysts as the top Spartan prospect in the draft with a chance to get selected as high as the third round. It has been a long and steady ride for the Ohio product who came to MSU as a low-ranked three-star prospect but immediately found his way on the field en route to Freshman All-American honors. Let’s take a look at where everything sits with Scott and when he might hear his name called.

The SpartansWire Take:

Josiah Scott is a professional football player. Despite some size limitations he has a natural ability to play defensive back. Like many MSU corners before him, he is comfortable working receivers with his hands and can play on an island with his back to the quarterback. While his best bet is probably playing on the interior of a defense, Scott has repeatedly show plus ability in coverage throughout his career. He’s also a sneaky hitter despite his size. The loudest “Ohhh” uttered in a Spartan Stadium press box in 2019 came courtesy of a Josiah Scott tackle.

What analysts are saying:

DraftWire Big Board Draft Position: 5th round, No. 165 overall

On a conference call with local reporters NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he is a “big fan” of Scott and ranks him as the 87th overall prospect in the class.

“He’s got seven career picks. He’s played outside. I think he’s going to be a day one starting nickel. He’s very instinctive. You see him pattern read. He’s fluid. He can find the ball down the field. He just lost some 50/50 balls due to size on the outside, but I think he’s going to be a really good nickel.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also rates Scott as the top MSU prospect in the draft.

“I think Josiah Scott – he’s gonna help a secondary, whether he’s gonna help a secondary whether he’s a starter, nickel, fourth corner,” Kiper said. “He’s gonna be a guy who plays in the league for a long time, I think, as I’d say a third- to fifth-round pick… He’s 5-10, he’s about 175. He’s aggressive, he’s a willing tackler, he’s got good awareness, he was a really good recruit coming out. Played right away. He’s got pretty good ball skills, seven career interceptions. I like the tape. I like what I saw of him. I like the way he turns, I like the way he flips his hips, like his feet.”

Combine Results:

Career Stats:

Games: 29

Tackles: 95

Interceptions: 6

Passes defended: 22

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