Rookie Tykee Smith, who has made headlines for his cerebral approach and football IQ, has continued to fortify the Buccaneers' defense throughout training camp. Tampa Bay has cross-trained Smith at nickel corner, free safety and strong safety. His play on the gridiron has garnered praise from both coaches and teammates.
"He's been doing a phenomenal job, especially picking up our defense," noted Antoine Winfield Jr. "You know, it's loaded. He's doing a great job. He's running with the ones, and getting things like that, so, he's picking up fast."
In Todd Bowles' complex defense, safeties are tasked with a full plate including manning the post, setting the edge against the run in the box and blitzing. Smith's flexibility on the back end at the collegiate level has translated to his acclimation and ascension in the NFL.
The Bucs selected Smith in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and quickly began carving out a role for him on defense. He played two seasons at West Virginia before transferring to Georgia in 2021. Smith quickly became a playmaker on one of the nation's best defenses, and in 2023 he accumulated 70 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and six passes defensed - leading the team in each of those last three categories.
At Georgia, Smith occupied the nickel role in Kirby Smart's base scheme and he became the enforcer near the line of scrimmage. Smith played in the post at free safety for West Virginia and he has carried those skills to Tampa Bay's secondary. He has worked with the first-team, showcasing his knowledge of the system. Smith's dedication to film study has fostered fast play on the field with little hesitation. He flies downhill with a lethal trigger and is a stout tackler, imposing his will at the point of contact. Smith excels in coverage with hip fluidity and burst out of his breaks. He has been given a heavy workload as a rookie but has handled the responsibility with ease. Throughout the duration of offseason workouts and the final two preseason exhibition matchups, Smith's progress is one to catalog.
"[He's] a very smart football player," said teammate Kaevon Merriweather. "I remember from Georgia, he played at a very high level. I think he played in two or three national championships, so he's been on the big stage, so I think coming to this level is no difference or change for him. [He's] just a very smart football player, very talented, and he's going to definitely have a very bright future ahead of him."
