Latest news with #LavonteDavid
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Key Buccaneers players to watch on defense during training camp in 2025
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ushering in a youth movement on the defensive side of the ball. While veterans like Lavonte David and Vita Vea continue to anchor the unit, the rest of the depth chart is filling with hungry young players ready to seize their moment. With spots open across the secondary and edge rotation, the 2025 training camp will be a proving ground for the next generation of Buccaneer defenders. Here's one rising player to watch at each defensive position group as the battle for roles intensifies in Tampa. Defensive Line: Logan Hall Logan Hall is running out of time to establish himself as a reliable contributor. With the starting spots locked in by Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, Hall must prove he belongs in the regular rotation. His size and athletic profile are undeniable, but coaches are looking for better leverage, pad level, and discipline in run defense. A strong showing in camp could finally solidify Hall's place in Tampa Bay's long-term plans. Edge Rusher: Chris Braswell Chris Braswell is one of the most intriguing young defenders on the roster. With Haason Reddick expected to lead the group, Braswell is in a prime position to compete for significant reps opposite him. His strength and tenacity off the edge stood out at Alabama, but training camp will reveal how quickly he can adapt to NFL-level pass protection. A strong showing in joint practices and preseason games could accelerate his climb. Linebacker: SirVocea Dennis With KJ Britt gone, SirVocea Dennis has an open runway to a starting job alongside Lavonte David. Dennis impressed in limited action last season with his instincts and sideline-to-sideline range. At this training camp, coaches will test their ability to handle communication responsibilities, defend in space, and read blocking schemes. He's a cerebral, high-effort player, and this is his shot to prove he's ready to lead the next wave at linebacker. Cornerback: Jacob Parrish Rookie Jacob Parrish is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in camp. After a standout career at Kansas State, Parrish arrived in Tampa as an under-the-radar signing draftee, but he's already pushing for meaningful reps in a wide-open cornerback room. His quick feet, ball skills, and confidence have translated well so far. With questions behind Jamel Dean, Parrish has a legitimate shot to carve out a rotational or even starting role if he continues to flash in coverage drills and preseason action. Safety: Tykee Smith After arriving from Georgia, Tykee Smith is expected to step into a major role at strong safety. With Jordan Whitehead no longer in the fold, Smith's versatility, toughness, and physical presence will be tested early in camp. Coaches want to see how well he holds up in coverage against tight ends and how quickly he builds chemistry with Antoine Winfield Jr. If Smith plays fast and clean, he could be one of the Bucs' most important defensive changes in 2025.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What is the Buccaneers biggest hope going into the 2025 season?
There are not many instances in the NFL where a team returns most of it's pieces after an early playoff exit, but that is what the Bucs did in 2025. Jason Licht and his staff looked at their roster and decided that there weren't any glaring holes, but rather some depth issues that needed to be addressed. Of course, they also had to bring back key pieces like Lavonte David and Chris Godwin Jr. in free agency, but after doing that there wasn't much else to manage in terms of contracts. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox wrote up each NFL team's reason for hope in 2025, and for the Bucs, it is the continuity within the roster that is giving him reasons to be optimistic. The team may have exited the playoffs early, but they had a roster that was ready for something special and Jason Licht knows that. Knox writes, "While the Falcons and even Panthers may be ready to challenge within the division—expectations should be lower in New Orleans—the Buccaneers should be considered the favorites entering camp. Why? Because general manager Jason Licht once again made it an offseason priority to keep top players in the fold. Mayfield, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs and 2024 breakout back Bucky Irving were always going to be back for the coming season. However, Tampa also re-signed standouts like Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David while adding new contributors like Haason Reddick and rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka. . .While there's no guarantee that Tampa will be better in 2025, it's highly unlikely to be worse. That's reason enough to believe the Bucs could be sleeper Super Bowl contenders." The offense returns every starter for the 2025 season that it had in 2024, with a new coordinator of course. As for the defense, they add Haason Reddick, but otherwise it also remains untouched. It truly is unheard of for a non-Super Bowl team to run things back like this, but who are we to question Jason Licht and his Super Bowl ring at this point?
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs Rival Gives Rare Compliment to Star Defender
Bucs Rival Gives Rare Compliment to Star Defender originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have boasted some defensive talent since coming into the league in 1976. Names like Derrick Brooks, Cecil Johnson, Brad Culpepper, Warren Sapp, Shelton Quarles and Ronde Barber certainly come to mind. Advertisement But another player — an active one — should be mentioned in the same breath as those other legends, and that's linebacker Lavonte David. David is entering his 14th season and briefly contemplated retirement before re-signing a one-year, $9 million deal for 2025. David has been vocal about contemplating retirement after completing a one-year deal with the Bucs in 2024. He remains one of the best defensive players on the team, and at age 35 is still playing at a high level. That's something the Bucs desperately need in 2025. Falcons' Bijan Robinson recently had high praise for the rival linebacker calling attention to his impact on the field. Since joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Robinson has faced David twice a season, and he's taken note of the veteran's presence every time. 'Lavonte David, you know, I respect the mess out of him," Robinson said. "The dude is athletic, and he has not lost his athleticism.' Robinson continued. 'On some routes, he's still running with me, and I'm like, 'Bro, how are you here? I was like five yards past you,' and he just casually comes up. Every single time I play him, I have to study every move, instinct that he does." Advertisement David posted 122 total tackles in 2024 with 76 solo, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. On a team that struggled to get pressure on the quarterback all season, David stood out. Now that he could be entering his final season in the league, he could have more to prove. Related: Insider Reveals Buccaneers' New Uniform Treat for 2025 Related: Buccaneers Offensive Star's Odds for New NFL Award This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs' Lavonte David earns odd placement in Top 100 NFL Players of 2025
The NFL has started rolling out its Top 100 Players for the 2025 Season. They are doing it exclusively on social media this year, compared to specials on NFL Network, compared to years past, in hopes of garnering more engagement, one can assume. That leads us to today, where the first Bucs player made an appearance on the list when the 96th player, linebacker Lavonte David, was unveiled. David, who will be entering potentially his final year with the Bucs and in the NFL, has built himself a Hall of Fame-worthy career. In 2024, David showed he could still rush the passer, make plays all over the field, and still be explosive and rangy at the age of 34. David will look to earn one more set of honors in 2025, hopefully capping things off with a Super Bowl victory with a very talented Bucs team.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Top 100: Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte Davis, 2025 Cardinals opponent, is No. 96
Bucs LB Lavonte David, whom the Cardinals face in Week 13, is in the top 100 for the seventh time in his career. Another two players were revealed as part of the 2025 edition of the "NFL Top 100" on Wednesday. Two players in reverse order from 100 to 11 of the top 100 players in the league right now, as voted on by NFL players, are being revealed daily each weekday for nine weeks, followed by a show revealing the top 10 on September 1. On Wednesday, players No. 95 and 96 were revealed. New Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat was named No. 95, as we posted about already. No. 96 is one of the Cardinals' 2025 opponents, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David. NFL Top 100: No. 96 Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers He was No. 99 last year. Bucs tackle Tristan Wirfs said in the video that David, who is 35 years old and enters his 14th NFL season, is "so underrated, so slept on." Wirfs added that David should have multiple Pro Bowls and that he should have made this past year's Pro Bowl. David has only one Pro Bowl selection, in 2025. He has, though, been in the top 100 seven times. Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said of his division rival that David "is athletic and hasn't lost his athleticism." Wirfs cited how David was clocked running 19.5 miles per hour while chasing down Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. He is physical, still very athletic and very smart. The Cardinals will face him and his Bucs in Tampa Bay in Week 13. In five career games against the Cardinals, David has 27 total tackles, three for loss, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one he returned for a touchdown. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
