No, it's not Beau Allen in white. Nope, not Ryan Jensen either. Ali Marpet? Nah, his hair isn't long enough. The guy with the blonde tresses sticking out of his helmet in a white No. 65 jersey splitting first team reps at right guard is Alex Cappa, the rookie small school guard out of Humboldt State.
A third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Cappa had his work cut out for him. He comes from a Division II school, and while he scored an invite to the combine, he hasn't faced much NFL talent during his collegiate career. It's probably the biggest strike against him, and virtually any other player to come out of a non-FBS institution. But the guard on the opposite side of the line is proof that it can be overcome.
The past two days, Cappa has started splitting first team reps at right guard with third-year player Caleb Benenoch. The right guard position is the only one really up for grabs at this point on the offensive line and the two young players will be duking it out for the rest of camp for that starting spot come September 9.
Earning it won't be easy considering it means going up against the likes of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul or defensive tackle Beau Allen. Cappa especially has had a wakeup call, going from the aforementioned Division II talent to one of the most notorious pass rushers in the NFL. He's got good hands and he definitely has size. At 6'6" and 304 pounds, it's helped him hold his own, which is why he's been a player to watch through the first full week of practices in training camp.
He may not get it every time but the rookie is learning. The fact that he is already competing for a starting spot and is on a line with a guy like Marpet bodes well for his NFL future. Keep an eye on Cappa as you continue to watch Buccaneers' training camp this year.
