Jaguars Officially Sign Rookie Cornerback Josiah Scott

8 members of Jacksonville's 12-player draft class are now under contract following the official addition of Josiah Scott.

While the rest of the league continues to slowly sign their rookie draft picks, the Jacksonville Jaguars have increasingly been inking their rookies to official deals in recent weeks. 

Fourth-round cornerback Josiah Scott is the most recent of these additions, with the Jaguars announcing Friday they had signed the talented slot corner.

Scott is the eighth Jaguars rookie to sign his rookie contract. First-round cornerback CJ Henderson signed his deal earlier this week, and only four other Jaguars' rookies have yet to sign. 

Offensive lineman Ben Bartch, wide receiver Laviska Shenault, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, wide receiver Collin Johnson and tight end Tyler Davis have already signed. Still to sign are the Jags' other first-rounder K'Lavon Chaisson (No. 20 overall), fifth-round safety Daniel Thomas, sixth-round quarterback Jake Luton and seventh-round cornerback/return specialist Chris Claybrooks.

Scott was drafted out of Michigan State with the No. 137 overall pick in April's NFL Draft. Scott likely projects as a nickel cornerback because of his size (5-foot-9, 185-pounds, 29 3/8-inch arms). He joins Henderson, Tre Herndon, D.J. Hayden, Rashaan Melvin, Parry Nickerson, and Brandon Watson in the Jaguars' secondary.

Scott, who declared early, was an honorable mention All-Big Ten player in 2020 It is a bit of a surprising pick since he doesn't meet any of the Jaguars' physical thresholds for the position, but the Jaguars must be big fans of his tenacious play style and opted to ignore the measurable.

In 2019, Scott recorded three interceptions, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In three seasons at Michigan State, Scott recorded 95 tackles, six interceptions, 22 pass deflections, and two tackles for loss.

"Excellent toughness, physical, plays bigger than his size," general manager Dave Caldwell said after the Jaguars drafted Scott. "Feel like that he's a natural fit inside, but also feel like he can also take some reps outside. So his makeup, his leadership skills, his football intelligence."

Scott was a bit of a surprising pick since he doesn't meet any of the Jaguars' physical thresholds for the position, but the Jaguars are clearly big fans of his tenacious style of play and opted to ignore the measurables.

"Really was one of the players where - to be quite frank - because he came out early that I wasn't real familiar with early on in the process, like last summer. But as they started watching, watch the tape, you fall in love with him relatively easily," Caldwell said.