The Miami Hurricanes surged back into national relevance in 2025, as they made it all the way to play for their first national championship since the 2002 season.

It took some special players to make it all the way there, and they had them in offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and edge rushers Rueben Bain, Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.

Naturally, that trio has gotten plenty of attention over the last few months as the NFL Draft approaches. Mauigoa and Bain are lead-pipe lock high first round picks, and Mesidor very well could also hear his name called on the draft’s first night as well.

However, one player who was an engine of Miami’s resurgence should also hear his name called, and it’s probably going to happen later than it should.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick put out a list of post-Round 1 draft sleepers, and cornerback Keionte Scott made the list.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick calls Miami Hurricanes CB Keionte Scott a post-Round 1 NFL Draft sleeper

“Turn on any tape of the Hurricanes in 2025, and I guarantee you if Scott was on the field, he was making plays,” Riddick wrote. “He had 67 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups last season.

“He is the ultimate competitor and plays the game with a passion for contact. He possesses next-level football IQ and the speed/quickness to be a three-down factor at the nickel position, and that has become critical for the best NFL defenses. I saw times in the 4.32-4.35 range for his pro day 40-yard dash. That’s outstanding. We should hear his name called early on Day 2, in my opinion.”

Scott, who transferred from Auburn after the 2024 season, was arguably the nation’s best defensive back last season and the top nickel corner. He simply did everything last year for the Hurricanes on the field, totaling 64 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

Some guys just have a knack for making big plays, and Scott is cut from that cloth. His instincts are elite, as we saw when he jumped a short route against Ohio State and returned a pick for a game-swinging touchdown.

If Scott was a boundary corner, he’d have already been well in the first round conversation. However, whoever pulls the triggers on him in the draft will get a player with the skills and game tape of a first round pick. Someone who certainly could end up being one of the biggest steals — or sleepers — of the entire draft.