Former & Current Bucs DL A Popular Topic At Combine

The Bucs have been lucky to have a long line of top-level defensive linemen over the past two decades. It’s been at the forefront of their premier positions. That’s what makes it that much more fascinating that, whether it’s a current Bucs player like Vita Vea or some that previously wore the pewter and red jerseys, there is still a heavy Bucs influence on the minds of defensive line prospects at the NFL Combine.

Admiration Of A Bucs Legend

On Wednesday at the Combine, defensive tackles were among the position groups that were up at the podium for the day. There was no greater defensive lineman for the Bucs than Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who played in Tampa from 1995 to 2003. Even though it’s been 21 years since Sapp played for the organization, he continues to have an impact on today’s players.

Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton is from Clearwater, going to Clearwater Central High School. He grew up watching Bucs games and mentioned Sapp as his favorite player.

“Clearwater area, beautiful area, a lot of beaches,” Newton said about what it was like living in the area. “A lot of great athletes come out of there. Of course I watched the Bucs growing up. My favorite defensive linemen – Warren Sapp. Always watch the Bucs.”

Later on, Newton was asked about which NFL players he models his game after and immediately mentioned Sapp again before going to today’s stars.

“Like I said, my favorite defensive linemen (is) Warren Sapp,” Newton said. “Currently, of course Aaron Donald, Grady Jarrett, Chris Jones, all those great defensive linemen. I take pieces of their game, the moves they use during the game and use them myself.”

Working Out With Super Bowl Winners

Being a Tampa Bay local gives more reason to be up front and center when understanding how great Sapp is. But that’s not the only connection that prospects have to Bucs players.

Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus is also from the state of Florida, but resides in Fort Lauderdale. However, during this draft process, he has been training down in Tampa with head trainer Yo Murphy.

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Being from South Florida, (I) always knew Tampa was a place that I would consider to go train,” Dorlus said. “Being back down there, back in good weather, I’ve been in Eugene (Oregon) for the past five years, I’m down there in the sun, getting some good beach workouts in. Yo Murphy, my head trainer, he does a great job with everybody there, I feel like I’ve been getting the best work.”

If Murphy’s name sounds familiar, that’s because he also trains a number of Bucs players. At the top of the list is current nose tackle Vita Vea and former Bucs defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.

Vea is the current stud in the middle for the Bucs, and he’s been a team captain for the last two seasons as the best defensive lineman for Tampa Bay. Suh spent three seasons with the Bucs and was a very important piece in helping them win Super Bowl LV.

Dorlus has benefitted from getting to be around these great players, picking up valuable knowledge from each.

“Vita Vea for sure comes down a lot. Ndamukong Suh, he’s been down there a lot of times,” Dorlus said. “There’s a lot of players, Leonard Fournette’s been down there, there’s a lot of Bucs players down there that we see every day. Just seeing how professional they are, how serious they take their business, take that mental part of how they attack workouts for sure and how detailed they are. We’re doing on the field work, so any time I have a chance to talk to those dudes, I ask questions, try to pick their brains just so I can be as great as them.”

Rookie Bucs Also Getting Respect

So, we’ve seen a team legend get a shoutout along with a recent Buc and a current team leader. It goes even further, though, because Bucs rookies are getting attention, too. It took a little bit for Calijah Kancey to make his presence felt in the NFL because of an injury, but he played so well with 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks that prospects this year are already watching his tape.

Clemson DT Ruke Ohorhoro – Photo by: USA Today

There’s an ACC connection between Kancey, who was Tampa Bay’s first round pick in 2023 out of Pitt, and Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Ohorhoro, who is looking to get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ohorhoro is familiar with what Kancey did, as they are in the same conference and gave him a lot of respect for what he’s accomplished.

“Calijah Kancey, I studied some of his tape,” Ohorhoro said. “I liked his pass rushing moves. He’s a very savvy pass rusher. So I try to take little things from guys I like, and he’s a guy that did like.”

Ohorhoro met with the Bucs formally in Indianapolis. He’s one of four defensive tackles to do so.

The defensive tackle position isn’t necessarily the top need for Tampa Bay, though general manager Jason Licht does love to build through the trenches on offense and defense. Plus, Will Gholston and Greg Gaines are free agents this offseason.

If the Bucs were to take Newton, Dorlus or Ohorhoro, we at least know they are pretty well versed with the Bucs’ past, present and what hopefully is the future.

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