Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (19th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month (November 2023)
Finished tied for second among all rookies in 2023 with 10 tackles for loss.
Made his NFL debut in the Week 1 win at Minnesota, starting at defensive tackle and logging 11 defensive snaps before leaving with injury. Recorded one quarterback hit.
Was inactive in Weeks 2-4.
In Week 6 vs. Detroit, played 40-of-70 defensive snaps and finished with three tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits and 1.0 sack. It marked his first career sack.
Kancey became the first Buccaneer rookie to begin his career with consecutive games with at least one quarterback hit since Antoine Winfield Jr. did so in Weeks 1-3 of the 2020 season.
Since quarterback hit data became available in 2006, Kancey became just the third Buccaneer rookie to record a quarterback hit in his first two career games, joining Winfield and Khalil Davis.
In Week 7 vs. Atlanta, played 40-of-65 defensive snaps and finished with one tackle and one quarterback hit.
Since QB hit data became available in 2006, Kancey became just the second Buccaneer rookie to record a quarterback hit in the first three games of his career, joining Antoine Winfield Jr. He was just the fourth rookie to accomplish the feat overall in the NFL in 2023.
In Week 8 at Buffalo, started at defensive tackle and played 41-of-69 defensive snaps.
In Week 9 at Houston, played a then- season-high 59-of-72 defensive snaps and finished with four tackles (three for loss), 1.0 sack and one quarterback hit.
Kancey's three tackles for loss in Week 9 were the most by a Buccaneers rookie in a single game since Vita Vea had three on Nov. 25, 2018 vs. San Francisco.
Through nine weeks, Kancey's 2.0 sacks were tied for fourth-most among rookies.
Through nine weeks, Kancey's four tackles for loss were tied for third- most among rookies.
In the Week 10 victory over Tennessee, started at defensive tackle and finished with three tackles (two for loss) and two quarterback hits.
Through 10 weeks, Kancey ranked second among rookies in tackles for loss (six), tied for third in quarterback hits (seven) and tied for sixth in sacks (2.0).
In Week 11 at San Francisco, played 32- of-60 defensive snaps.
Played 46-of-73 defensive snaps in Week 12 at Indianapolis and finished with three tackles (two for loss), 1.0 sack, one quarterback hit and his first career pass defensed.
Through 12 weeks, Kancey's eight tackles for loss were tied for most among all rookies.
In the Week 13 victory over Carolina, started and played 47-of-72 defensive snaps, producing two tackles and two quarterback hits.
Through 13 Weeks, Kancey's 10 quarterback hits were tied for third- most among rookies in 2023.
In the Week 14 victory over Atlanta, played 57-of-72 defensive snaps and finished with three tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack.
Kancey's sack in Week 14 marked his fourth sack of the season, tied for fifth- most among rookies at the time.
Through 14 Weeks, Kancey led all rookies with nine tackles for loss.
In the Week 15 victory at Green Bay, played 35-of-60 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit. It marked his fourth straight game with at least one quarterback hit.
In the Week 16 win over Jacksonville, played 40-of-66 defensive snaps and recorded one tackle that went for a loss.
Through 16 weeks, ranked second among all rookies in tackles for loss (10) and tied for fifth in pressures (32).
In Week 17 vs. New Orleans, played 43-of-70 defensive snaps and finished with three tackles.
In the Week 18 victory at Carolina, played 40-of-52 defensive snaps and recorded one tackle. Contributed to
a defense that recorded Tampa Bay's first shutout since Nov. 21, 2010 at San Francisco.
Kancey finished the 2023 regulars eason tied for second among all rookies with 10 tackles for loss, trailing only teammate Yaya Diaby (12).
In the Wild Card round victory over Philadelphia, started at defensive tackle and finished with four tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and 0.5 sacks.
In the Divisional round contest at Detroit, played 49-of-73 defensive snaps and finished with two tackles (one for loss), 1.0 sack, one quarterback hit and one pass defensed.
Kancey's sack in the Divisional round increased his career postseason sack total to 1.5 — tied for the 11th-most in franchise history.
Appeared in 36 career games across three seasons (2020-22) at the University of Pittsburgh, totaling 93 tackles (34.5 for loss), 16.0 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Following his senior season in 2022, became the 13th player in University of Pittsburgh program history to be named a Unanimous All-American, and the first to do so since defensive tackle Aaron Donald in 2013.
Was the only player in the country to be a finalist for both the Outland Trophy for the nation's best interior lineman and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the national defensive player of the year in 2022.
Was named the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, joining Aaron Donald as the only players in program history to earn that distinction.
Was named first team All-ACC in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
As a senior in 2022, started 11 games and logged 31 tackles (14.5 for loss) and 7.5 sacks. His 14.5 tackles for loss led all interior defenders in the country.
As a junior in 2021, started all 14 games and finished with 35 tackles (11 for loss) and 7.0 sacks.
As a sophomore in 2020, started 4-of- 11 games, totaling 27 tackles (seven for loss) and 1.5 sacks.
Born Calijah Demetrius Kancey on March 1, 2001.
Mother is Schquinina Smith.
Has three sisters and one brother.
After signing his rookie contract, he purchased a house and a car for his mother.
Ran a 4.67 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest time for a defensive tackle at the event since 2003.
Majored in Administration of Justice at Pittsburgh.
