Carter Brantley – Bucs Report and Sports Talk Florida Bucs Reporter

I know it seems ridiculous to do yet another Buccaneers mock draft to clog your feeds, but hey, it’s draft season and there’s not a whole lot else going on right now.

So let’s buckle up and take a ride down the mock draft of the century! Just kidding; but I do follow a few basic rules:

1. I try my best to abide by the consensus boards and not draft anyone that isn’t likely to be there; I might stretch this a bit and I do apologize if anything seems out of left field, but for the most part I stick to this rule and don’t break it too much (bending it might be a better way of putting it, I guess).

2. Especially this year, there’s going to be a tendency to go best player available, something the Bucs haven’t been able to do very much recently with such glaringly obvious needs, but my feelings are that every team should do this regardless and try their best not to fall into the positional need trap that can get people fired.

3. No trades. It’s going to be complicated, messy, and unpredictable, so I like to cut through a bit of that here by just going through the draft order as God (or Roger Goodell, or whatever deity you think puts these draft orders together) intended.

Ok, enough rules, here we go:

Round 1, 19th Overall: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Oof, breaking rule #1 already; the likelihood that Johnson is there at 19 might not be super high, but I love him so much I’m going to dream on him falling right into Jason Licht’s lap.

Johnson has the versatility in terms of being able to play man or zone to unlock a potentially new way of Bucs’ defensive football, but even if he’s played as an almost-exclusively-zone corner like the Bucs currently run things, he’ll be great.

He’s got the size and length to be a disruptor at all levels, he can be fine in the run game, and he’s just flat out one of the best corners in this draft class.

If he’s not there, the Bucs do have options in Jihaad Campbell, Jahdae Barron, and whatever edge rusher they deem most valuable (or wild card: a wide receiver!), but this is my mock draft damn it, and I’m going to run with it.

Round 2, 53rd overall: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Fellow cover linebacker Demetrius Knight, Jr. out of South Carolina is tempting here, as is safety Kevin Winston, Jr. (if the medicals are ok) out of PSU, or if you want to get a little crazy, Elijah Arroyo, tight end out of Miami, because Cade Otton is due for an extension and Arroyo is an exciting, athletic tight end who has a very high ceiling.

But Schwesinger is one of the best linebackers in this class other than Jihaad Campbell.

His RAS was an unofficial yet eye-popping 9.86, good for 46th out of 3204 since 1987, and has a good track record while at UCLA, posting an 80.6 PFF grade for his overall contributions in his final season as a Bruin.

If he’s gone by 53, those options listed above would be fun, too, but if he’s there and the Bucs haven’t already taken Campbell, Licht could pull the trigger and continue his remodel of the Bucs’ defense.

Round 3, 84th overall: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina

Another stretch of rule #1, Kennard is a very interesting prospect who could easily be taken before the Bucs get their turn in the 3rd round; could they possibly trade up in this round to get Kennard to continue to bolster the defensive side of the ball?

I don’t know, but if he’s there in the 3rd round and they aren’t super convinced with any of the other defensive players available, Kennard is a solid athlete whose 40 times is one of the best at his position, contributing to his RAS of 8.58.

He also had a monster 2024 season to finish out his college career after transferring to South Carolina from Georgia Tech.

With 39 pressures and an 80.7 pass rush grade from PFF, he was able to secure All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

So the track record is there, as is the athletic ability; the question is just if he’ll even be there at 84.

Round 4, 121st overall: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

A potential riser due to an elite combine that resulted in a 9.8 RAS, he was hampered by injury in 2024 and never quite produced at an elite enough level to warrant a super high draft pick despite his athletic prowess.

Horton has speed for days and is as explosive as they come, but the lack of physicality due to his slight frame and the injury concerns are enough to prevent him from being taken too early.

He might be gone by 121, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 22-year-old still be there for the Bucs in round 4, and he’s athletic enough to warrant being a 6th wide receiver for the Bucs if they choose to carry that many wideouts.

Horton is more of a project player, which is fine for the Bucs, especially at that position, but he provides some massive upside potential.

Round 5, 157th overall: Malachi Moore, Safety, Alabama

Moore is one of the smartest safeties in this class, having played the STAR position in Nick Saban’s defense early in Moore’s time at Bama, but he’s limited in his athletic profile due to his lack of size.

His tackling ability at Bama was fine, good enough to pass by at the college level, but he has questions surrounding his overall talent level as a safety.

He also lacks the true speed or explosiveness many other safeties possess, especially for someone that size.

But, his special teams experience would prove invaluable, especially in the role the Bucs would likely have him in assuming he’d make the roster.

Round 7, 235th overall: Clay Webb, Guard, Jacksonville State

Who?

Sounds like a Buc already (sorry, had to throw in a Moneyball quote).

Webb was one of the best guards among the non-big-time schools in Division 1, providing Jax State with a solid presence on their interior.

He also posted an unofficial RAS of 8.75, pretty darn good for someone that will likely be there in the 7th round.

The Bucs can have him compete for a roster spot, but the likely place for Webb is on the practice squad, developing into a potential depth piece with a high ceiling, perhaps even a replacement for either Mauch or Bredeson at some point in the future.

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Successful drafts have helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stay on top in the NFC South for the first half of this decade.

They need to add more talent to keep them ahead of the pack.

The Bucs hold the 19th pick in the first round of the NFL draft and will likely target defensive help. They already have a dynamic offense led by Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Bucky Irving.

General manager Jason Licht and his staff have done an outstanding job evaluating players since selecting Evans with the first pick in his first draft in 2014. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, defensive tackle Vita Vea, wide receiver Chris Godwin and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are among their best picks.

They chose several players who performed well as rookies in last year’s draft, including Irving, center Graham Barton, wide receiver Jalen McMillan and safety Tykee Smith.

Now it’s time to do it again.

“We knew that we had a special group of guys — the individuals, but you still never know until you get out there and they start playing,” Licht said of last year’s class.

Need

Edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker are Tampa Bay’s biggest needs. Coach Todd Bowles has stressed the importance of putting pressure on quarterbacks without having to blitz. The addition of two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick in free agency could be a significant boost if he plays as he did between 2020-23 when he had double-digit sacks four straight seasons.

But signing Reddick doesn’t preclude the Bucs from seeking an edge in the first round. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. went to Tampa Bay in the AP mock draft.

Drafting edge rushers is one area that’s been a problem for the Buccaneers. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (32nd overall pick, 2021) had just 15 sacks in four seasons and signed with Cleveland in free agency. Logan Hall (33rd overall pick, 2022) has 8 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons.

Don’t need

The Buccaneers don’t need starters on offense but could add players for depth. Though they seem set at wide receiver with Evans, Godwin, McMillan and veteran Sterling Shepard, Licht didn’t rule out another playmaker. Evans turns 32 in August and Godwin is coming off a major ankle injury.

“We’re not going to overlook that position at all if everything falls that way for us,” Licht said.

Finding finds

Licht’s specialty has been the middle rounds.

Irving, McMillan, Smith, defensive lineman YaYa Diaby, running back Rachaad White, tight end Cade Otton and cornerback Zyon McCollum are among the key players the Buccaneers have drafted in the third or fourth rounds over the past three seasons.

“We’ve had some good production,” Licht said. “My staff and the coaches have done a great job. The last three years — I would say combined, those drafts were elite when you put them all — add them all together. We want to try to keep doing it. It doesn’t always work out that way but keep doing it. I think this particular draft just seems it be a little bit more leveled out, which I’m excited about. I’m not saying that’s something I don’t like about this draft. It’s something I do like about the draft.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The University of Tampa beach volleyball team capped off a flawless postseason run with three wins on Championship Saturday to claim the AVCA Small College Beach National Championship. After cruising past 2022 national champion Colorado Mesa and Sunshine State Conference rival Palm Beach Atlantic, the Spartans edged Concordia University Irvine in a thrilling title match, finishing the tournament 7–0 without dropping a dual.

Tampa opened Championship Saturday with a commanding sweep over 2022 national champion Colorado Mesa. At the 1’s, Elizabeth Price and Angel Williams led the way with a confident 21–16, 21–11 victory. The 2’s pair of Hailey Wolfe and Nevaeh Wolfe continued their post-season dominance with a 21–12, 21–18 win. Over at the 4’s, Anna Bayes and Brooke Green overwhelmed their opponents in a 21–9, 21–12 decision. Although Madelynn Hokanson and Hailey Peterson in the 3’s and Sammie Ostrander and Meghan Schreck in the 5’s, were both in control of their matches, those flights went unfinished after the dual was clinched.

The semifinal clash against Sunshine State Conference rival Palm Beach Atlantic saw the Spartans secure yet another post-season sweep. Price and Williams handled business at the 1’s with a 21–17, 21–15 victory, while the Wolfe twins remained undefeated on the weekend with a 21–18, 21–19 result at the 2’s. Hokanson and Peterson provided the clinching point with a thrilling 21–19, 26–24 win at the 3’s. The remaining matches featuring Bayes and Green at the 4’s and Ostrander and Schreck at the 5’s were left unfinished, as Tampa advanced to the national title match.

In the national title match against Concordia University Irvine, the Spartans overcame early setbacks to win a dramatic 3–2 decision and claim their fifth national title in seven years. Despite hard-fought losses at the 1’s and 4’s by Price and Williams and Bayes and Green, respectively, Tampa’s depth carried them through. The Wolfes battled back from a first-set loss to win in three at the 2’s, 16–21, 21–8, 15–8. Ostrander and Schreck delivered under pressure, closing out their match with a 21–17, 21–19 win. Hokanson and Peterson continued their clutch play with a narrow 21–13, 20–22, 15–13 triumph at the 3’s which clinched the victory and title for the Spartans.

Tampa 3, Colorado Mesa 0

1. Elizabeth Price / Angel Williams (UT) def. Ellie Ask / Gracyn Spresser – 21–16, 21–11

2. Hailey Wolfe /Nevaeh Wolfe (UT) def. Riley Daugherty / Lizzy Hood – 21–12, 21–18

3. Madelynn Hokanson / Hailey Peterson (UT) vs. Barett Nolan / Ania Swartzendruber – Unfinished

4. Anna Bayes / Brooke Green (UT) def. Jessica Passi / Taylor Scherff – 21–9, 21–12

5. Sammie Ostrander / Meghan Schreck (UT) vs. Lucy Kaufman / Lauren Rohlwing – Unfinished

Tampa 3, Palm Beach Atlantic 0

1. Elizabeth Price / Angel Williams (UT) def. Serena Baumgart / Anna Dunbar – 21–17, 21–15

2. Hailey Wolfe /Nevaeh Wolfe (UT) def. Camdyn Albrecht / Katelyn Nadeau – 21–18, 21–19

3. Madelynn Hokanson / Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Annika Huhtamaki / Abigail Plevin – 21–19, 26–24

4. Anna Bayes / Brooke Green (UT) vs. Sydney Corbett / Savannah DeCarlo – Unfinished

5. Sammie Ostrander / Meghan Schreck (UT) vs. Angela Goggin / Desirae Waterman – Unfinished

AVCA National Championship – Tampa 3, Concordia University Irvine 2

1. Kelissa Lemoine / Sara Ostojic def. Elizabeth Price / Angel Williams (UT) – 21–18, 21–17

2. Hailey Wolfe /Nevaeh Wolfe (UT) def. Korah Nordin / Gabrielle Reinking – 16–21, 21–8, 15–8

3. Madelynn Hokanson / Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Kelia Giusta / Cameron Solberg – 21–13, 20–22, 15–13

4. Olivia Medina / Eva Prewitt def. Anna Bayes / Brooke Green (UT) – 21–18, 22–20

5. Sammie Ostrander / Meghan Schreck (UT) def. Nicole Miller / Ashley Rossi – 21–17, 21–19

Up Next: The Spartans return home as AVCA Small College Beach National Champions, closing the season with seven straight dual wins and a flawless tournament run in Gulf Shores. Tampa finishes the year as one of the nation’s most dominant programs, cementing another historic chapter in program history.

Courtesy of Tampa Athletic Communications