On the 2024 NFL Scouting Mix, a lot of the focus is on the gathering of younger expertise that will likely be at Lucas Oil Stadium within the coming days. For the Bucs, they added loads of younger gamers by way of their 2023 rookie class, led by defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.
Kancey started to climb up draft boards on the Mix final yr due to his blazing quick 4.67 40-yard time paired along with his spectacular school manufacturing over his final two seasons on the College of Pittsburgh. A lot of that manufacturing carried over into his rookie season in Tampa Bay, and final yr is only the start of Tampa Bay’s No. 19 total choose unearthing his huge potential.
The Bucs’ entrance workplace and training employees are very excessive on his ceiling.
Jason Licht: Calijah Kancey Is “Forward Of The Curve”
Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht spoke to the media Tuesday morning and was requested about Calijah Kancey’s play as a rookie. Kancey was slightly late to the get together after an early-season harm, however he hit the bottom working and made his presence felt up entrance instantly.
Showing in 14 video games, he recorded 26 whole tackles, 10 of which had been tackles for loss. As a go rusher, he had 12 quarterback hits and 4 sacks.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, DT Calijah Kancey and GM Jason Licht – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
As a defensive lineman, it’s troublesome to come back in and be that on top of things with the move of an NFL recreation and make such a big influence. Licht was fast to level out that Kancey could be even additional alongside subsequent yr and was the right rookie to guide the workforce’s proficient draft class from a yr in the past.
“Nicely, he did lots,” Licht stated. “He’s tremendous explosive, he’s very sensible. I feel he’s forward of the curve for a rookie. He’s going to be even additional forward subsequent yr. He’s a brilliant aggressive man. Normally, your draft class – your entire class form of takes after the primary choose – and Calijah is the right instance of what you need the remainder of the category to fall in line on. He’s all the time within the constructing, he’s all the time attempting to enhance, and he’s all the time asking questions.”
Not solely was Kancey an impactful rookie, however so was outdoors linebacker YaYa Diaby. Diaby can have an elevated position subsequent yr because the presumed No. 1 go rusher after it was introduced that the Bucs will likely be releasing Shaq Barrett at first of the league yr. They’ve their sack celebration down, however relating to manufacturing, every of them is simply getting began relating to turning into a dominant pressure for years to come back.
“He and YaYa had been two greatest buddies working round on a regular basis, and it’s enjoyable to see,” Licht added. “How these two are going to develop collectively – I feel they’ll each be dominant gamers.”
Calijah Kancey Adjusted To The Sport And Took Off Later In The Yr
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Picture by: Adam Slivon/PR
Earlier than he grew to become a dominant participant, Calijah Kancey rejoined the beginning lineup in Week 6 studying the right way to play to his strengths and capitalize on them frequently. It was an adjustment interval for him after he performed simply 11 snaps within the season opener.
Head coach Todd Bowles began to see him come alongside later within the yr and is hopeful that it’s going to proceed with a full sophomore season.
“I’m most proud of him figuring the sport out to grasp what he can and might’t do as a go rusher,” Bowles stated Tuesday on the NFL Mix. “You can see him taking off much more within the latter a part of the yr. Didn’t end in sacks on a regular basis, however he had [a large amount of] rushes that offer you hope that he’s going to be excellent.”
Again in early January because the Bucs had been gearing up for his or her playoff run, co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers spoke on the progress Kancey made in having to play in opposition to full-grown offensive linemen.
It isn’t simple to make that transition, particularly for somebody a defensive lineman who’s a tad lighter at simply over 280 kilos. That put much more emphasis on him being explosive off the snap and recognizing the little issues.
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Picture By: Cliff Welch/PR
“Simply maintain maturing,” Rodgers stated on Kancey’s progress. “The factor coming in, coming from school, these guys have to regulate to the power stage of those guys. A few of these guards are what we name full-grown males. As they alter to this, a number of the stuff that labored in school doesn’t essentially work right here.
“As he adjusts his recreation and figures out what he can do, the sky is the restrict for him as a result of he’s a pleasure to teach and really coachable. In case you inform him to do one thing, he’ll attempt to repair it instantly. Proceed to be coachable and his potential will simply take over from there.”
It’s a widespread cliche, however for Calijah Kancey, the sky actually is the restrict for him as he continues his improvement. Having a full offseason to focus solely on enhancing as a Buccaneer will solely assist the soon-to-be 23-year-old change into a game-changer alongside the Bucs’ line of defense.
