After including an outdoor cornerback with their first choose on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bucs caught with the cornerback place within the third spherical — solely they kicked inside to the nickel spot. With the No. 84 general choose, Tampa Bay chosen Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish.
The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Okay-State product has loads of expertise at nickel, usually transferring inside on the Wildcats’ third-down packages. The Olathe, Kansas native performed 470 snaps at outdoors cornerback final 12 months, however did see 91 snaps within the slot and 44 extra within the field, based on Professional Soccer Focus. He had 202 profession snaps at nickel cornerback in his three years in Manhattan.
He’s nonetheless solely three years into enjoying the cornerback place after enjoying operating again and security in highschool, and that inexperience could present up at occasions on tape. However regardless of that, his 4.35 velocity (which was the fourth-fastest 40-yard sprint time amongst cornerbacks on the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix), twitchiness and talent to alter instructions all stand out as positives.
Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: USA At the moment
Not solely that, however Parrish has the ballhawking tendencies Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is wanting so as to add to his protection. Over three seasons at Kansas State, Parrish totaled 5 interceptions and 23 passes defensed. He had a career-high 4 interceptions throughout his sophomore season in 2023, which was additionally when he posted a career-high 13 passes defensed. He then completed his school profession with eight passes defensed and an interception in 2024.
As a lot as Parrish seems the a part of being Tampa Bay’s subsequent nickel cornerback by way of his talents in protection, he can even carry it in run help. He drives downhill within the run sport and is a powerful open-field tackler, one thing Bowles and his defensive teaching employees will love.
The Bucs’ curiosity in Parrish seemingly picked up after the Mix. He instructed Pewter Report in Indianapolis that he hadn’t met with Tampa Bay personnel, however he would finally come to city on a 30 go to nearly a month later as one of many group’s earlier prospect visits.
After Including Jacob Parrish, Bucs’ Secondary Might Be Full
Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: USA At the moment
The addition of Jacob Parrish could very properly full the Bucs secondary for essentially the most half. Assuming he takes maintain of the beginning nickel cornerback spot, that may permit Tampa Bay to maneuver 2024 third-round Tykee Smith to security, one thing that has been mentioned this offseason.
Smith can be becoming a member of Antoine Winfield Jr. as the 2 starters on the again finish of the protection, with the trio of Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum and second-round choose Benjamin Morrison all within the combine at outdoors cornerback. With Parrish within the slot, that provides Tampa Bay a powerful beginning group within the secondary.
The Bucs have to be ok with that group, in addition to the depth they’ve each at nook and within the security room. On the surface, they’ve Bryce Corridor again within the combine, in addition to new addition Kindle Vildor. At security, Kaevon Merriweather is now extra skilled as a depth piece. After which there’s the final word depth chess piece in Christian Izien, who can fill in at nickel in addition to security. To not point out, he has proven he can fill in on the surface in a pinch as properly.
There’s a whole lot of versatility in Tampa Bay’s secondary, which head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles will love. And whereas Winfield and Smith are playmakers and McCollum is making an attempt to develop right into a ballhawk himself, the Bucs now have extra ballhawking capability throughout the group with the additions of Morrison and Parrish, who mixed for 14 interceptions and 50 passes defensed between their collective six seasons in school.
Welcome to Tampa Bay, Jacob Parrish!
