Buccaneers' imposing nose tackle Vita Vea catapulted to the top of the NFC in Pro Bowl votes among defensive tackles in 2024 for his production on the field. This season, Vea has amassed six sacks - second on the team behind Calijah Kancey - a career-high nine tackles for loss, 38 tackles, and 11 quarterback hits. Whether lining up in coverage to force an incompletion or splitting a double team to take down an opposing quarterback, Vea is an impenetrable force on the field for the Buccaneers. Against the Cowboys in Week 16 on third down, Vea read Cooper Rush's eyes and broke on the ball, tackling tight end Jake Ferguson.
"When he came back, his weight was under control, he was a different guy," said Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Kacy Rodgers. "Since Calijah [Kancey] got here, his leadership level has grown because he's kind of taken [Kancey] under his wing and they're kind of two peas in a pod. Just to see the growth with Vita, because this is my sixth year working with him since I walked in the door and you see him from this stage go to [that] stage as a leader. He's the type of guy that really [doesn't] say a lot but you know he's coming to the game with you on Sunday and I couldn't say enough about the guy. We kind of talked about it this preseason, but in order for us to do anything, he has to make plays. You didn't expect him to be drop off No. 3 or making a tackle on No. 2 over there – that's probably asking a lot but [those are] the kind of plays we expect him to make."
He is the key cog in the Bucs' run defense with the ability to quickly shed blockers and the range to flow down the line of scrimmage to pummel running backs to the ground. Vea consistently commands double teams for his power and pursuit quickness, which creates advantageous matchups for teammates.
Vea is an athletic anomaly at the defensive tackle position with elite foot quickness. Few, if any, nose tackles in the NFL could tackle a receiver in the open field to force a punt but Vea can do it all. From lining up at fullback to pave the way for Bucky Irving to penetrating through the A-gap to knock a quarterback down, Vea sets the tone in the trenches. Centers and guards around the NFL have no choice but to say a prayer, anchor and hold on for dear life against Vea.
"I think it's probably the best year I've seen him have since I've been here, and this is my sixth year having him," noted Head Coach Todd Bowles. "From coming back in shape to playing hard every week to using his hands more and becoming more of an unstoppable force. He used to just use brute strength without using technique, and then he'd get stuck a few times, but right now, he's got the whole gamut working. He drops [into coverage] once or twice when we ask him to, he rushes the passer well when they single him, he plays the run, he causes havoc inside. Between all the records and everything, he's having a heck of a year."