SI.com: 2024 To Be Big Step Up For Calijah Kancey
February 17th, 2024
Due to explode?
Bucs rookie defensive tackle Calijah Kancey already proved he’s a force to be respected by opposing offenses. But next season, he could raise his game.
That’s the way Gilberto Manzano of SI.com sees it. In picking five rookies he believes will blow up next year, Manzano says Kancey can even be a better player than what he has shown.
Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
… Kancey flourished as a pass rusher, making the comparisons to Aaron Donald seem not so far fetched. The pre-draft parallels arose because Kancey, like Donald, went to Pittsburgh, and both are undersized defensive tackles with plenty of athleticism. But for Kancey to elevate himself as a legitimate star interior defensive lineman, he’s going to need to improve as a run defender. Kancey recorded four sacks, 12 QB hits and 26 total tackles in 14 games as a rookie last season.
No, Joe is not ready to use the name “Aaron Donald” in the same sentence with Kancey. That’s unfair to Kancey and disrespectful of Donald, who may be the best defensive tackle since Warren Sapp.
Manzano failed to mention that Kancey started slowly because he suffered a calf injury in the first week of training camp that had him on the shelf for weeks. That cost Kancey lost valuable reps and experience.
Joe is excited to see what Kancey may be to start the season if he gets a full training camp under his belt.
February 17th, 2024 at 11:18 am
The little details about how linemen manipulate O linemen fascinate me—LOTS more to it than brute strength
February 17th, 2024 at 11:39 am
He also had 10 tackles for loss which is such an underrated stat not everyone talks about. It’s equivalent to a sack in my opinion both plays result in negative yards.
February 17th, 2024 at 11:44 am
At his size he kind of needs to be the next Aaron Donald or John Randle.
February 17th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Hopefully he is the second coming of #99. He has better stats in two fewer games played, when comparing rookie years.
February 17th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Really excited about this kid. Let’s hope he continues to improve and stay injury free. He could become a game wrecker.
February 17th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
He’s the real deal. Expecting the same. Looking like another great pick from JL, who seems to be hitting his stride as a top GM.
February 17th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Game wrecker in the forge as we speak and soon to be known as another Buccaneer
~ “SUPER STAR” ~
February 17th, 2024 at 12:44 pm
He is certainly trending in the right direction.
Needs to stay healthy…
February 17th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
After recording 47 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles, Donald was one of five rookies selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl. Donald won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.
Kancey fell just a bit short.
February 17th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
I think Logan Hall is going to end up being the run stuffer alongside VEA and Kancey will play inside and outside. He’s versatile.
YaYa and Kancey should take a major leap.
YaYa- 12+ sacks
Kancey- 8-10
They need someone to replace Shaq soon. Not sure if he’s going to be on the team or if he is, if he’s finally 100%.
February 17th, 2024 at 1:08 pm
I’m so looking forward to watching Ya Ya and Kancey develop. Don’t sleep on Markees Watts either. That dude is lightning quick. I expect he’ll put on some muscle this off season.
February 17th, 2024 at 1:08 pm
TAMPABAYBUCFAN
I get it, no one is saying he is Donald, there are just similarities.
Kancey -26 tackles, 4 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits.
Pretty damn good for a rookie DT that did not start 3 games and played 60% of the time.
February 17th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Look at his rookie year vs SAPP… Very similar
February 17th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
The Super Bowl is won during the offseason.
Tom never gets out of shape. He stays game-ready 365 days a year.
Tyler Johnson ruined his career because of 1 lazy offseason.
Goedeke and Zion played great this year because they spent every day at One But place this off-season.
Super Bowls are won in the off-season!
Evolve or dissolve!
NFL= Not For Long!
Mauch needs to add 10 pounds.
Goedeke needs to get quicker.
Hainsey needs to work on his leg strength.
Dennis needs to get ripped. Britt needs to work on his drops.
JTS needs to add 5 pounds of leg strength. He’s light on his feet, but he needs a stronger base.
Wirfs needs to rehab his ankle.
February 17th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
He looks like he’s a player. This was a pretty good draft class all round.
February 17th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
“ No, Joe is not ready to use the name “Aaron Donald” in the same sentence with Kancey.”
Ummmmm…. Same sentence.
February 17th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Ten to fifteen pounds of muscle should do it. Donald doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him. Maybe he can take a few trips out to Southern California and meet with Aaron for some workouts, priceless.
February 17th, 2024 at 6:45 pm
These national writers don’t know anything. Probably never looked at Kancey on tape or in a game. Kancey was good this year, let’s see next year.
February 18th, 2024 at 8:41 am
How about instead of comparing him at this point to 2 HOFer’s, we pick other smaller under 300lb DT’s.
La’Roi Glover. 6 pro bowls. 83 career sacks.
Henry Thomas. 2 pro bowls. 93 career sacks.