Celebrating Will Gholston
October 9th, 2021
Will Gholston
It’s not every day that Bucs defensive tackle Will Gholston is the subject of a national feature.
In fact, it may be a first since he left the college ranks to join the Fighting Schiano’s in 2013, when the Bucs made him a fourth-round draft pick. CBSSports.com dove into Gholston’s growth this week.
“As far as my play, if you look at my career production from the beginning to now, I feel I’m more productive of a defensive lineman than I was in previous years,” Gholston told CBS Sports by phone Thursday. “And I consider that being a late bloomer. Some people start off hot and some people need to grow into and blossom into who they are.”
Gholston shocked everyone leading the Bucs with 20 quarterback hits last season, and he’s on a similar pace in 2021. He’s got two sacks and five QB hits through Week 4.
It’s impressive, and the kind of consistency that will lead him to cash in after this seeason. Gholston is a free agent wrapping up a five-year, $27 million contract.
What most opened Joe’s eyes in the feature was that Gholston is playing around 320 pounds. He’s done a phenomenal job adding that weight and maintaining his speed and explosiveness.
October 9th, 2021 at 4:38 pm
Would be a shame to see him go next year but he is getting a bit long in the tooth.
October 9th, 2021 at 4:40 pm
he has been the definition of teammate. As the team has grown he has grown with it, he didn’t cause problems with being a second stringer, just worked harder and got better.
Good to see someone like him spoken of, though I believe he is also the current Bucs sack leader.
October 9th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Still one of my favorite Bucs. Didn’t realize though that Big Will had put on that much weight to play inside as much as he does (I think he used to play around 275-280 when he was a DE).
Also didn’t realize he was a FA at the end of this year. Bucs’ DLine in particular will have its hands full re-signing or replacing Vea, Gholston, Suh, McLendon, O’Connor and JPP. Plus we’ll have to re-sign or replace Davis, Sherman, Whitehead, Minter, Adams, Delaney behind them. That’s 12 guys on defense right there, many of them starters or key rotational players. And all of them very experienced, and Super Bowl ring holders. It’ll be interesting to see what rabbits JL can pull out of the hat this time.
October 9th, 2021 at 5:21 pm
Gholston has always been a good run stopper, but seemed to come into his own as a pass rusher when the Bucs switched to a base 3-4 from a 4-3. Assume it’s just a better fit for him.
October 9th, 2021 at 5:53 pm
He’s a good player, a good teammate, a good man. Tampa needs men like him. My hope is he re-signs and finishes his career here and then remains in the community.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:03 pm
Gritty, solid vet.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Gholston has been playing his best football for the last few years, but now he’s a “bit long in the tooth”? Can you be any more illogical?
October 9th, 2021 at 6:17 pm
I hated this dude in college! Being a Michigan fan and him playing for Michigan State. That being said, one of my favorite Bucs! He was very good in college made a lot of plays against my Wolverines.
October 9th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Gholston is authentic…
This guy earned his first post-rookie contract as a DE, specializing as a run-stopper. He wasn’t just a guy who broke out during a contract year 10+ sacks, and took a big payday. Gholston has maintained his dominance in stopping the run and has only improved his stock, truly remarkable when you think about the players that have come through this organization, I can’t remember the last time we’ve seen someone with this kind of longevity, go through how many coaches? And not only has he stayed true to his abilities as a fantastic run-stopper, but damn if he’s not pushing that line more than I remember him doing in years past.
I still remember that video when Suh showed up in his first year with Tampa, and they were standing next to each other at practice, and he told Suh, paraphrasing…I want to do what you do. What a moment that was and how Gholston’s responded.
October 9th, 2021 at 7:15 pm
I was surprised he only went in the fourth , I thought he was a man beast in college , really really thought the Bucs got a steal with him !!
October 9th, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Type of dude you want in your foxhole. Dude shows up and busts his tail and produces.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:06 pm
Probably Schianos best pick.
October 9th, 2021 at 9:32 pm
Pete’s so happy for Gholston. Didn’t think it was gonna work out for him in the NFL a few years back. It was frustrating b/c he’s built like someone who should dominate. The 3-4 defense has provided a nice role that fits him well
October 9th, 2021 at 9:41 pm
Good article
October 9th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
He fits Todd Bowles system perfectly.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:15 am
Beast….we need to keep him
October 10th, 2021 at 1:08 am
He should be our next D lineman induced into the ring of honor after he eventually retires a Buccaneer
October 10th, 2021 at 7:25 am
Best 3-4 DE since Keisel for the Steelers.
We gotta keep him.
(Suh will be a free agent too. That’s why I wanted a DE/DT in the 2nd)