Shaun Scott

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-3, 230 lbs. Taller than 21% and heavier than 37% of 2026 Edge Rusher prospects in the SEC Scouts database (169 with a listed size).

Play Style

Scott is a downhill, high-motor rusher who plays best going forward. He uses a quick first step to threaten the corner, and once tackles overset he counters with power or a spin back inside. That combination drove his 21 TFL and 10 hurries in 2025. Against the run he sets the edge aggressively and closes violently on the ball carrier; his 4 forced fumbles show he attacks the ball rather than just wrapping up. Mater Dei moved him into more of a hybrid outside linebacker role during his last offseason, so his film includes some drops and stand-up alignments. Still, his instincts are clearly those of an edge rusher: he reacts to the snap and gets upfield, rather than reading and filling from depth.

Strengths

• Production against elite competition: 53 tackles, 21 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries and 4 forced fumbles as a 2025 senior in the Trinity League, one of the toughest schedules in the country
• Deep pass-rush toolkit: 247's Greg Biggins called it one of the biggest in the region, with wins by speed and by power and an effective spin counter, so he isn't a one-move rusher
• Versatility: he has rushed off the edge, set the edge against the run, and dropped into coverage in a hybrid role, which gives a defensive staff multiple ways to use him
• Physical playing temperament: USC coverage describes him as an enforcer who 'hits anything that moves,' the trait that projects to early special-teams snaps
• Pro-style development background: he comes out of Mater Dei's program and camp circuit, where he was named MVP at linebacker at a national showcase camp, so the jump in coaching and speed should be less of a shock

Areas to Improve

• Off-ball linebacker skills: he was mostly an edge player in high school, so run fits, reading keys from depth, and staying square while scraping over the top are still new to him. Learning these is what will decide how quickly he plays at USC
• Coverage: the 5 PBUs show he has some awareness, but he still needs to prove he can handle zone drops, match routes in space, and turn and run with tight ends and backs against Big Ten offenses
• Taking on blocks: he won with quickness and athleticism in high school, but at 235-240 lb he needs to add functional strength to take on pulling guards and tight ends at the point of attack

College Projection

He is a true freshman in 2026 and currently backup depth in USC's linebacker room behind veterans such as Ta'Mere Robinson and Elijah Newby. The staff has been limited with him since spring but has also praised him. His realistic 2026 role is special teams (coverage units fit his physicality) plus situational snaps, likely as a redshirt candidate under the four-game rule. By 2027 he should compete for a rotation spot, either as a SAM/hybrid linebacker who rushes on passing downs or, if he fills out, as a stand-up edge. His ceiling is a multi-year starter who is productive as a pass rusher, and edge is probably where he creates the most value.

NFL Outlook

As a four-star with real pass-rush production and a 6-3/240 frame, he has a legitimate path to the NFL if he settles into one position. The NFL pays for edge rushers, and his speed-plus-power toolkit and counter moves are the traits scouts look for. If he ends up as an off-ball linebacker, he will need to show the coverage ability and instincts the league requires, and he could fall into a Day 3 / special-teams-plus prospect. His most likely outcome is a mid-round (Day 2-3) prospect after 3-4 college seasons as a hybrid SAM/rush linebacker who also plays core special teams. If he adds mass and becomes a double-digit-sack edge rusher, he could climb higher.

Best Fit

A multiple or 3-4 based front that uses a hybrid SAM/rush outside linebacker and moves that player around by down and distance, letting him rush on passing downs and play in space on early downs. That is essentially the role USC is developing him for. Base 4-3 teams that would ask him to be a full-time off-ball WILL or MIKE use his best trait less, while a Big Ten-style 3-4 OLB spot suits both his frame and his pass-rush toolkit.