The Denver Broncos' 7th round pick, Illinois defensive back Miles Scott, is a classic, inspirational story. Scott hails from Dolton, Ill. a south suburb of Chicago struggling with deindustrialization and declining household wealth. It's a village and surrounding area with severe socioeconomic woes. The local area high schools often do not play their football games on Friday nights. Some of the stadiums don't even have lights.

Scott first attended the Catholic, private school St. Laurence in Chicago's southside, before transferring to St. Thomas More School in Connecticut as a senior.

He starred as a wide receiver in high school, but only received offers from FCS-level programs. Scott then decided to walk on at Illinois instead, where he converted to safety and became a three-year starter, two-time captain and All-Big Ten performer. Along with center Josh Kreutz (Olin's son, who just signed a rookie minicamp contract with the Chicago Bears), Scott was the face of the Illini program these past couple seasons. Both players were often typically selected to meet the media, at press availabilities, which truly converys their leadership skills.

Scott now heads to Denver, where he'll be reunited with former teammate Pat Bryant, a wide receiver who was selected by the Broncos in the third round last season. Scott had 182 career tackles (131 solo), with four TFLs, one sack, seven interceptions and two pick-sixes. He's a very heady and cerebral player, who excels at "playing centerfield" and reading route concepts.

He was the third of three Illini players selected this past weekend and the fifth Illinois defensive back taken during the Bret Bielema era. The rest of the list consists: Kerby Joseph's selection by Detroit in 2022 (Round 3, No. 97), and three selections in 2023 of Devon Witherspoon by Seattle (Round 1, No. 5), Quan Martin by Washington (Round 2, No. 47), and Sydney Brown by Philadelphia (Round 3, No. 66). If Ohio State is Wide Receiver U. then Illinois might be becoming Free Safety U?

Joseph is a bonafide star, Martin is a regular starter and Brown is a part-time starter, all at the FS position. Perhaps Scott will become the next Orange and Blue NFL start at the free safety position? He's also very versatile, and could see some time at the nickel position, and on special teams.

This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Broncos 7th rd pick Miles Scott could continue Illini NFL FS tradition