Daniel Scott Bio
Daniel Scott (born October 26, 1998) is an American professional football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 208 pounds, he plays at the safety position and wears jersey number 32 for Indianapolis. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a standout college career with the California Golden Bears.
Scott earned recognition as one of the top defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference during his time at the University of California, Berkeley. His college honors included First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2021 and Third-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022. Despite facing consecutive season-ending injuries early in his professional career, he remains an active member of the Colts roster.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Scott was born on October 26, 1998, in Pasadena, California. He grew up in the Pasadena area and attended Saint Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge, California, where he developed into a multi-talented football prospect. At Saint Francis, he played both ways, contributing on defense as a defensive back and on offense as a wide receiver.
As a senior at Saint Francis, Scott was named the Pasadena Star-News Area Player of the Year. During that final high school season, he recorded 70 tackles, four tackles for loss, and five interceptions on defense. On offense, he added 41 receptions for 688 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions, showcasing the versatility that made him a sought-after college recruit.
Following his high school career, Scott committed to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley, choosing the Golden Bears over an offer from Fresno State. His decision to attend Cal allowed him to remain in his home state of California while competing at the highest level of college football in the Pac-12 Conference.
Path to American Football
Scott’s path to professional American football began with a redshirt season during his true freshman year at California, which allowed him to develop physically and learn the Golden Bears’ defensive system. He then played primarily as a reserve and on special teams during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons, gradually earning a larger role within the Cal defense.
As a redshirt senior, Scott emerged as one of the top defensive players in the Pac-12. He led the California Golden Bears with 82 tackles and intercepted three passes, earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors for his performance. His strong senior campaign established him as a legitimate NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft cycle.
Scott also took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to Cal for a sixth season. In that final collegiate season, he recorded 85 tackles, three interceptions, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles, capping his college career with another strong showing and earning Third-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022.
Daniel Scott Career
Early Career (2017–2022)
Daniel Scott’s early career was spent at the University of California, Berkeley, where he spent six seasons with the California Golden Bears from 2017 through 2022. He used his first year as a redshirt to adjust to the college game before gradually working his way into a starting role on defense. His development as a tackler and playmaker in the secondary was steady throughout his time in Berkeley.
By the end of his college career, Scott had established himself as one of the premier defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference. His combination of tackling production, ball skills, and forced fumbles made him an appealing prospect for NFL teams looking for a safety with a physical presence and coverage ability.
NFL Draft and Indianapolis Colts (2023–Present)
Daniel Scott was selected in the fifth round, 158th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. His selection came after a strong pre-draft process in which he demonstrated the coverage skills and tackling ability that had defined his college career. Joining a Colts secondary looking to add depth at the safety position, Scott entered the league with an opportunity to compete for a role on defense and on special teams.
Unfortunately, Scott’s transition to the NFL was immediately disrupted by injury. During organized team activities (OTAs) in the spring of 2023, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on June 14, 2023. As a result, he did not appear in any regular season games during his rookie campaign.
Scott’s challenges continued into his second professional season. In May 2024, during OTAs, he ruptured his Achilles tendon during practice, marking his second consecutive season-ending injury. He was placed on injured reserve for the second straight year on June 6, 2024. Despite these setbacks, he remains on the active roster of the Indianapolis Colts and is expected to compete for a role in the team’s secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Daniel Scott’s football career came during his redshirt senior season at California, when he led the Golden Bears with 82 tackles and three interceptions, earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors. His strong senior season positioned him as a Day 3 NFL Draft prospect. The 2023 NFL Draft selection by the Indianapolis Colts represented another major milestone, as did his two All-Pac-12 selections in 2021 and 2022.
Daniel Scott Career Highlights
Throughout his football career, Daniel Scott has compiled a series of notable achievements at both the college and professional levels. His Pac-12 honors reflect his standing as one of the top defensive backs in the conference during his time at California. While his professional statistics are limited due to his two consecutive season-ending injuries, he remains an active member of the Indianapolis Colts roster.
California Golden Bears Highlights
During his time with the California Golden Bears, Daniel Scott earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2021 after leading the team with 82 tackles and three interceptions as a redshirt senior. He added Third-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022, when he recorded 85 tackles, three interceptions, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles in his sixth and final college season. These accomplishments established him as one of the most productive safeties in Cal’s recent history.
Other Performances
At the high school level, Daniel Scott was named the Pasadena Star-News Area Player of the Year as a senior at Saint Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge, California. His senior totals of 70 tackles, five interceptions, 41 receptions, 688 receiving yards, and 10 touchdown receptions highlighted his two-way ability and set the stage for his successful college career at California.
Daniel Scott Family
Personal Life
Daniel Scott was born and raised in Pasadena, California, and has spent much of his life in the Southern California region. He attended Saint Francis High School in nearby La Cañada Flintridge before continuing his football career at the University of California, Berkeley. He maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates related to his professional football career with fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represents an important opportunity for Daniel Scott to establish himself in the Indianapolis Colts secondary. After missing his first two professional seasons due to ACL and Achilles injuries, he is expected to compete for a meaningful role on defense and on special teams. His recovery progress during the offseason will be a key storyline to watch as the Colts prepare for the new campaign.
As a member of the Indianapolis Colts’ safety group, Scott will need to demonstrate the coverage skills, tackling ability, and ball production that defined his college career. His familiarity with the team’s defensive scheme, built during his time on injured reserve, should help him transition into game action. The Colts’ depth chart at safety will play a significant role in determining how quickly he can carve out a role on defense.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the outlook for Daniel Scott centers on health, opportunity, and production. A clean offseason and a strong training camp could position him for his first regular season NFL action, fulfilling the promise he showed during his All-Pac-12 seasons at California. If he can stay on the field, Scott has the potential to become a long-term contributor in Indianapolis.