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Tykee Smith earns unique distinction from analyst ahead of training camp

Tykee Smith earns unique distinction from analyst ahead of training camp

USA Today22-05-2025

Tykee Smith earns unique distinction from analyst ahead of training camp
The Bucs' secondary had some growing pains in 2024 and, as a result, had some of the worst pass coverage, which hindered their success.
Bleacher Report's Matt Holder named one player from each team, who is their best-kept secret. He had a handful of options for a young Bucs team that is full of talent. In the end, he rolled with Tykee Smith who made plays as a rookie and is now poised to move to either nickel or safety full-time as the team looks to figure out how to best cover opposing offenses.
Holder writes, "Smith showed a lot of promise during his rookie season in Tampa Bay. The 2024 third-round pick hauled in a couple of interceptions and seven passes defended to earn a solid 69.0 PFF run defense grade during the regular season, and he was even better against the run with an 88.1 mark and four TFL."
Holder ends his analysis of Smith by offering up a king-sized, or rather a nickel-sized, compliment to the Bucs defender.
"The Georgia product has the makings of becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber nickel for the Bucs."
Bucs fans would be happy to see another Pro Bowler in the secondary besides Antoine Winfield Jr.

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