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 group and the Bucs protection fired up and was in a position to showcase the ball-tracking means, and pace that Pitts Jr. can showcase when he’s given a possibility. 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 fascinating participant to control for Bucs followers, media, and coaches alike.

Taking part in For Three Schools

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 faculty profession taking part in first at West Virginia, and would then enter the switch portal the place he would play a few 12 months at Marshall, earlier than lastly getting into the switch portal as soon as once more to complete his faculty profession at NC State.

It was at NC State the place Pitts would see his finest taking part in outcomes ending with two interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, and 43 whole tackles whereas taking part in in 12 video games. All through his time in faculty, Pitts Jr. was in a position to showcase his means as a nook and have an excellent eye and nostril for locating the soccer and to have the ability to make performs.

Bucs CB Derrek Pitts Jr. – Photograph By: Cliff Welch P/R

The Proper Match For A Good Bucs Protection

Pitts Jr. is a much bigger nook that matches very effectively into what head coach Todd Bowles seems for in outdoors corners. Pitts is 6’1 182 kilos and may very well be a participant who might 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 in regards to the massive play from the rookie and what he’s carried out to date. “He’s lengthy and athletic and we all know he’s bought ball expertise,” Bowles mentioned. “It only a matter of getting the system down. Bought to get the system down so the preseason recreation will likely be essential for him.”

The Battles Rage On In Preseason And Coaching Camp

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Proper now because it stands the Bucs have themselves a fairly open room on the subject of cornerback depth on the group. You will have your established starters in Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean however after that there are a number of totally different choices for who the corners might 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 current 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’s nonetheless loads of room within the again half of the depth chart and there’s going to be massive battle going down all through the rest of coaching camp and within the preseason as effectively for the ultimate couple of roster spots on the cornerback place. Pitts Jr. is off to an excellent begin of creating momentum for himself however might want to proceed to make performs all through the rest of coaching camp and preseason to actually give him the very best likelihood attainable to make the ultimate 53-man roster when all the things is claimed and carried out.