Derrek Pitts Jr. made a little bit of a reputation for himself within the Bucs coaching camp apply on Friday, August 4. Pitts Jr. got here away with a really athletic interception on quarterback Baker Mayfield whereas protecting fellow rookie Taye Barber towards the tip of the apply.
The play bought the gang and the Bucs protection fired up and was capable of showcase the ball-tracking means, and velocity that Pitts Jr. can showcase when he’s given a chance. It isn’t the primary time Pitts Jr. has made a play or two all through the Bucs offseason exercises and coaching camp as Pitts Jr. continues to be an attention-grabbing participant to control for Bucs followers, media, and coaches alike.
Enjoying For Three Faculties
Pitts Jr. got here undrafted out of the 2023 NFL Draft and would finally signal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shortly after the draft had concluded. Pitts Jr. spent his school profession enjoying first at West Virginia, and would then enter the switch portal the place he would play a few yr at Marshall, earlier than lastly coming into the switch portal as soon as once more to complete his school profession at NC State.
It was at NC State the place Pitts would see his finest enjoying outcomes ending with two interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, and 43 whole tackles whereas enjoying in 12 video games. All through his time in school, Pitts Jr. was capable of showcase his means as a nook and have a very good eye and nostril for locating the soccer and to have the ability to make performs.
Bucs CB Derrek Pitts Jr. – Picture By: Cliff Welch P/R
The Proper Match For A Good Bucs Protection
Pitts Jr. is a much bigger nook that matches very properly into what head coach Todd Bowles seems for in outdoors corners. Pitts is 6’1 182 kilos and could possibly be a participant who may proceed to construct momentum for himself all through the rest of coaching camp and preseason if he is ready to proceed to make performs like he did at apply.
Todd Bowles gave his ideas concerning the huge play from the rookie and what he’s executed thus far. “He’s lengthy and athletic and we all know he’s bought ball expertise,” Bowles stated. “It only a matter of getting the system down. Bought to get the system down so the preseason sport might be vital for him.”
The Battles Rage On In Preseason And Coaching Camp
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Proper now because it stands the Bucs have themselves a fairly open room in terms of cornerback depth on the group. You may have your established starters in Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean however after that there are loads of totally different choices for who the corners could be.
Zyon McCollum figures to be the groups third cornerback for now, however the remainder of the room contains rookies like Josh Hayes (2023 sixth spherical decide), and Keenan Isaac, plus veterans like Anthony Chesley, Dee Delaney, Don Gardner, and Duron Lowe. You s look to loads of guys that even have momentum like Josh Hayes who’s a latest draft decide, and veterans like Gardner, Delaney, and Chesley who’ve all been aside of the Todd Bowles protection already and have a greater grasp of what’s anticipated out of the corners.
There may be nonetheless loads of room within the again half of the depth chart and there’s going to be giant battle happening all through the rest of coaching camp and within the preseason as properly for the ultimate couple of roster spots on the cornerback place. Pitts Jr. is off to a very good begin of creating momentum for himself however might want to proceed to make performs all through the rest of coaching camp and preseason to essentially give him one of the best likelihood potential to make the ultimate 53-man roster when every part is alleged and executed.
