Since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers declined Jordan Whitehead’s option bonus for the 2025 season, he is currently a free agent, and the team will have a new starting safety. The plan is for Tykee Smith to play more at safety after spending his rookie season as the slot cornerback. As a result, the Buccaneers will have a competition between two players for the nickel cornerback position, including a rookie.
Also Read: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Veteran Safety to Hit Free Agency After Rough 2024 Season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Big 12 star
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted former Kansas State Wildcats standout Jacob Parrish 84th overall in the third round. He primarily played on the outside with Kansas State but moved inside to the slot during nickel packages and on obvious passing downs. Due to his smaller stature, listed at 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, Parrish may have to play in the slot in the NFL.
Jacob Parrish had a standout 2024 campaign, finishing as an All-Big 12 honorable mention. He recorded 50 tackles, three TFLs, one interception, and seven pass deflections in 12 games. Parrish wrapped up his three-year career with 108 tackles, six TFLs, five interceptions, and 19 pass deflections in 38 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Big 12 rookie could start at key position
So far, Jacob Parrish has received first-team reps with the starting defense during spring practices, including mandatory minicamp. Although he has taken starting reps there, Todd Bowles stated he is “an outside corner first and then a nickel second,” per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Since Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum will start on the outside, the only chance for Parrish to play a significant role is in the slot or due to injuries.
Asked for the fastest player at Bucs rookie minicamp, Bowles said corner Jacob Parrish, adding that he can handle himself at outside corner as well as nickel: pic.twitter.com/PuG2uCLcim
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 10, 2025
The Big 12 star will compete against a former UDFA
Christian Izien will also compete for the key role on defense against Jacob Parrish. The undrafted free agent from the 2023 NFL Draft spent his rookie season as the full-time slot cornerback, playing 64% of snaps, and split time there and at safety due to injuries in 2024, starting ten games. Unfortunately, Izien suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
