“Bigger” Will Gholston
August 21st, 2020
While Will Gholston has been a constant in the Bucs locker room since Act 2 of the New Schiano Order, one thing about him has changed often.
Gholston has filled various roles at various sizes. He came into the NFL at 280 pounds and has played below that weight and over 300 pounds. That latter was an issue during the 2017 season, Gholston said, after which he got back to his college weight.
Last year, Gholston moved to the starting defensive end position in the Bucs’ new 3-4 defense and up went the weight again, but not as far as Gholston desired. So this offseason it was a focus, among other things, Gholston told Joe this morning.
“I took everything out of my exit meeting and I tried to implement into my workouts. I tried to put on enough weight to stay consistently above 300 pounds [this offseason],” Gholston said. “I tried to work on my lateral movement. I tried to work on my pass rush. That’s really what I focused on, making my body right, pass rush and lateral movement.”
Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers served up a lot of love for Gholston this afternoon, and among fans, Gholston may be the most underappreciated cog in the Bucs’ No. 1 run defense. At times last season he looked like the monster he was in 2016, the year that got him his fat second contract.
Fresh off his 29th birthday, the Bucs need another solid and durable season from Gholston. From where Joe sits, there’s no one on the roster who can replace him.
August 21st, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Beast vs the run… needs to get quicker pass rush still
August 21st, 2020 at 1:59 pm
If he maintains his run stopping abilities and gets just say….six or seven sacks, I think that would be a pretty good year for him. Kinda Carl Nassib like.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Gholston may be the most underrated player on the Bucs D.
He was a monster in 2019, his bst season as a Buc.
The front 7 may be the most stout in the NFL in 2020.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:14 pm
He was a freaking loaf after he got payed.He played hard last season. At least now hes playing for Brady AND a new deal
August 21st, 2020 at 2:15 pm
If we had more 4th rounders…..hell, 3rd & 2nd rounders that turned out like Gholston….we’d be golden.
The only argument with Gholston has been production vs money….but he’s solid in my book.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:21 pm
The Bucs need more guys like Gholston — what makes a team successful. Hardworking, not a superstar, but solid and dependable. No team can have 22 Aaron Donalds. The blend of elite and solid the players is the mix this team needs.
But what is truly remarkable is the collection of elite vets who still have Top 10 at their position skills and productivity: Brady, Gronkowski, Suh, JPP, LeSean McCoy, all of whom are HOF.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Amazing how many people have complained about this dude over the years but he keeps making the team and getting on the field no matter the coach. Good for him.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:30 pm
He seems slow to me but got to give him credit for hanging in there. He has a couple of new guys competing for starts this year.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:32 pm
I read he was working out with Shaq to learn some pass rushing skills. Hopefully he’ll improves this year as a complete DE.
August 21st, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Whatever we get out of him pass rush wise will be a bonus! Always been good against the run, but I feel he will be an improved pass rusher and have 5+ sacks this year! In Bowles I trust!
August 21st, 2020 at 3:36 pm
#1 run defense is misleading, when the pass defense was 30th. No need to run. Here’s hoping for continued improvement from the secondary.
August 21st, 2020 at 3:41 pm
gholston has been as solid player for a long time….despite what folks say about him, he does have some versatility to him…
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 21st, 2020 at 5:39 pm
He’s just not a sack guy, he is was he has consistently shown himself to be and that’s just fine, the team and multiple coaches seem to like it.
August 21st, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Last year, the Bucs were number 1 in yards rush against at on 3.3 yards per carry. The NFL average was a full yard more at 4.3.
How many times did we see in the 2nd half of the season teams try to gain a 3rd and 1 and fail.
Eye ball test said it was the stoutest run defense in the league – correct?
August 21st, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Great run defender and very dependable and versatile.
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:24 am
I dont know if anyone care; but word outta NoLA is Jaboo not having a great practice. Missing just about everybody with errant throws and fumbling…sounds familiar Oneilbucs?
August 22nd, 2020 at 4:47 am
If I read his Wikipedia page correctly, Gholston had 27 sacks as a high school senior. Michigan HS football is nowhere near as good as Florida, and many other states for that matter.
Glad to hear Gholston has beefed up. I’m wondering if the Bucs should also have Anthony Nelson gain 20-30 pounds and maybe take over for one of our DE’s someday. That’s IF Nelson doesn’t have the bend for OLB.
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:37 am
Solid player who’s worth every penny he’s making and probably more.
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:42 am
Underrated