Latest news with #JacobParrish
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft class this season was impressive. General manager Jason Licht had a clear focus on the defensive side of the ball after returning all 11 starters from a stacked offense from a season ago. Advertisement The Bucs' defense struggled in pass coverage, with turnovers and pressuring the quarterback last season, and Licht was able to address those needs in both free agency and the draft. Tampa Bay drafted two cornerbacks in Rounds 1 and 2. Licht selected Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round and Kansas State's Jacob Parrish in the third. It was Parrish that USA Today's Bucs Wire tabbed as a possible surprise in 2025. "While everyone will know the name Benjamin Morrison, who they drafted in the second round, it is the cornerback they selected after him who could make the more immediate impact," Andrew Harbaugh wrote. "While Morrison continues to be brought along from a hip injury he suffered last year, Parrish has been able to practice and is now in the conversation to have the starting nickel role in 2025. Advertisement "He plays in a physical way, he provides run support, and is everything Todd Bowles looks for in his cornerbacks so look for him to play early and often." At the NFL Scouting Combine this year, coach Todd Bowles said he wanted "ballhawks" for his defense after the team tallied just seven interceptions last season. That's exactly what he's getting in Parrish, who had nine interceptions in two seasons, adding 19 pass breakups. He also didn't allow a touchdown in 159 coverage snaps in 2024, while the Bucs allowed 27 - 19th in the league. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach Todd Bowles Reveals Reason for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Biggest Defensive Deficiency in 2025
Coach Todd Bowles Reveals Reason for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Biggest Defensive Deficiency in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made strides offensively in 2024 under then-offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Tampa Bay finished third in passing yards (250.4 pypg), fourth in rushing yards (149.2 rypg) and third in total yards (399.6 ypg). Advertisement But it was the defense that oftentimes let the team down, which is disappointing considering the head coach is also the defensive coordinator. Specifically, it was the secondary who let the team down most often, and it appeared that the corners were playing too far off their receivers ... over, and over, and over again. During an appearance on the podcast, Bowles was asked why he likes to play his outside corners so far off the ball. His response was eye-opening. 'Honestly I do not,' Bowles said. 'That's something we're working through right now and that is not required by the staff. The communication that we have and the situations that these guys got to understand that they have to move up more and we've talked about it probably all year. I would like to see them up as well. I will see them up a lot more, there's only a few instances where you will see them back and I'm on the same page with you so I certainly understand.' Advertisement Bowles also showed excitement for the secondary with the additions of Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison in this year's draft. "I think this year with the additions of [Benjamin] Morrison and [Jacob] Parrish along with Zyon and obviously [Jamel] Dean, I think we can do some things like that and match up personnel because they're kind of all interchangeable in certain man coverages,' Bowles noted. Bowles mentioned the coverage deficiencies were due to poor communication. That sounds like it's on the coaching staff. Whether they're coaching the guys to play off the ball or the players are not receiving the message clearly, it's still on the coach and the coaching staff. And it's something that has to be cleared up before next season. Advertisement Related: Tez Johnson Called His Shot to Play with College Teammate with Buccaneers Related: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Labeled as NFL's 'Most Underpaid' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Shilo Sanders impressing Buccaneers during rookie minicamp: 'He's very intelligent'
Shilo Sanders isn't getting as much attention as his little brother, Shedeur, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp. But that doesn't matter as long as he continues to impress his new coaches. Shilo Sanders signed with the Buccaneers, a team in need of some secondary help entering the 2025 season, in hopes that he can crack the 53-man roster come Week 1. And while training camp is still some months away, he's done a good job making a good first impression on head coach Todd Bowles. "Like the rest of the safeties, he's very intelligent, he's very loud," Bowles said. "You can hear him (on the field), making calls and everything, so he has a good grasp of things Day 1. There was about three or four of them that did. He was one of them, but you have to make plays in pads. That's what it comes down to – knowing what to do and then doing it consistently and constantly getting better every day." Sanders also knows how a good impression on the media can work in his favor, as he made sure to shake every one of their hands during his availability. After the introductions were complete, he discussed this opportunity. "Man, look at where we're at," he said. "Look at the whole coaching staff. It's a really supportive coaching staff. Everybody wants to see everybody do good. Everybody on the team, we all want to see each other win. It's a great environment to thrive in." Sanders has also been impressing his new teammates, including third-round pick Jacob Parrish. "He's very smart," he said. "He helped me a lot with the adjustments. I'm excited to work with him." Being a member of the secondary, Sanders has always been compared to his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, which is only natural. But the 25-year-old simply wants to work, and thanks the Buccaneers for the opportunity to show them he can help this season. "They gave me a chance before anyone so I'm forever grateful to the Buccaneers, and I'm just gonna do everything in my power to help this team win," he said. "That's all I want." Antoine Winfield Jr. is the Pro Bowl veteran on Bowles' defense, so free safety is the only likely available spot for Sanders. However, every good secondary needs depth, and those players are also critical pieces on special teams. Sanders thinks he can separate himself from the pack by showing he can force turnovers. "Throughout my whole career, I've always been a guy who gets the ball out any way, shape or form," he said. "Forced fumbles, picks, I'm gonna get the ball. That's the whole point of playing defense. We wanna get the offense the ball." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Rookie Predicted To Emerge As Surprise Starter
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had six draft picks during the 2025 draft. Four of those selections went to the defensive side of the ball. One of those defensive players was Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish out of Kansas State. Parrish is more of a slot cornerback with a 5-10 frame and under 200 pounds. Advertisement Tampa Bay needed all the help they could get in the secondary that was one of the worst in the league during the 2024 season. Injuries certainly played a part in that, but the Buccaneers clearly needed reinforcements at the position. The good news is that Parrish can make an immediate impact. ESPN insider Ben Solak called Parrish one of his favorite picks in the draft with the chance to being an immediate starter right away. "Parrish is a classic Todd Bowles cornerback — feisty, instinctive in zone, able to press and an excellent tackler in space," Solak wrote. "He reminds me of Tykee Smith, a 2024 third-rounder who emerged as a key nickel defender for Tampa Bay. The Bucs needed to add depth to their secondary, and they got a perfect scheme and culture fit in Parrish." Like any draft pick, Parrish is not guaranteed to start right away for the organization. The team will need to get him acclimated to Tampa's zone defense. ... and all of the other adjustments that any rookie has to make. Advertisement But if he can make the kind of impact that Solak expects of him, the Buccaneers defense - surprise! - may be going through a major transformation in a playoff-winning way. Related: Buccaneers Sign Small Quarterback With Big Dreams Related: Ex Bucs Coach Jon Gruden Awaits Major Lawsuit Ruling
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Super Bowl MVP Defends 2025 Draft Class
Dexter Jackson wasn't the best player on the historical Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in 2002. He became an overnight hero with one game, though. The Super Bowl XXXVII MVP recorded two interceptions in the game that would give the Buccaneers their first Super Bowl in franchise history. While the Buccaneers were able to win another title almost 20 years later, the team is trying to get back to those championship aspirations. Advertisement And the 2025 draft class might be the perfect chance to do that. Jackson, in his own accord, believes that the team's previous work in April could be a massive step forward for Tampa Bay. 'They got a great receiver in the 1st Round to add to an already great receiving group,' Jackson said. 'They added two cornerbacks and a linebacker (Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, & David Walker) with their next three picks, which were all positions of great need.' 'While it's hard to say if all these picks will work out, they definitely did a good job of picking players in positions they needed. Hopefully, they turn out to be the correct choice.' Advertisement Four of the six draft picks made by the Buccaneers were on the defensive side of the ball. It's an obvious decision for the team that had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year. If Egbuka, as a receiver, can step up offensively, and the additions on defense improve the group overnight, the Buccaneers 2025 draft class could be in line for a historic season. Related: Buccaneers Sign Small Quarterback With Big Dreams Related: Ex Bucs Coach Jon Gruden Awaits Major Lawsuit Ruling
