Byron Kiefer enters his 20th season overall with the Buccaneers and first as a senior personnel executive.
In his role, Kiefer is responsible for coordinating and compiling evaluations of all draft-eligible players and helping to oversee the scouting staff. Prior to his promotion during the 2024 offseason, Kiefer most recently spent two seasons as assistant director of college scouting and the previous four as a senior national scout for Tampa Bay during which he scouted prospects east of the Mississippi river.
Since elevating to a national role, Kiefer has played a key role in the scouting efforts of a number of successful draft picks for Tampa Bay, including the recent acquisitions of outside linebacker Yaya Diaby and defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the 2023 NFL Draft. The duo combined for 59 pressures, 22 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits and 11.5 sacks during their rookie campaign. Diaby led all rookies in tackles for loss in 2023, with 12, and tied for first in fumble recoveries (two), in addition to leading the Buccaneers in sacks. Meanwhile, Kancey was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November, finishing his rookie campaign tied for second among rookies in tackles for loss (10), tied for fourth in quarterback hits (12) and sixth in quarterback pressures (33). Previously, Kiefer contributed to the selections of three starting members of the secondary for Tampa Bay's Super Bowl LV championship team – Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean and Jordan Whitehead.
In his nine seasons working as an area scout, Kiefer handled the Southeast region of the country. Kiefer began his career with the Buccaneers as a pro personnel assistant in 2005. In this role, he assisted in daily transactions and coordinated player tryouts. He also assisted in scouting other pro leagues, including NFL Europa, CFL and AFL. He then served as the team's National Football Scouting representative, in which his focus was scouting players in the Southeast as well as working with the NFL combine, where he helped the NFL select invitees to the annual event.
Since joining the staff, Kiefer has been a part of four NFC South division championships and Super Bowl LV.
Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Kiefer worked in the University of South Florida football office during the 2003 season, assisting with football operations and recruiting. He also worked as a trade support associate at Raymond James Financial from 2003-05.
Kiefer graduated from Mercer University in 2002, where he was a letterman pitcher on the baseball team. Kiefer and his wife, Mirela, have two sons, Tyson and Nolin. They reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.
