Akeem Spence Speaks
April 27th, 2013New Bucs defensive tackle Akeem Spence spoke with the Bucs pen and mic club shortly after he was drafted this afternoon. Of course, Joe took notes.
“I play with a lot of power, real strong, great first step,” Spence said. “I make a lot of plays chasing receivers down from behind, knocking the ball out and playing from sideline to sideline. I play hard.
“I knew the [Bucs] coaches liked me at the combine, but I couldn’t really tell. I was thinking [from talking to Bucs scouts] it would be yesterday [when drafted].
“I heard [I would be drafted in the] third and my heart was set on third and maybe I could get into the second. Yesterday, I was bummed out. I was thinking ‘What now?’ Getting that call this morning, it was a sigh of relief.
“I can be a plus, taking pressure off of [Gerald McCoy] and taking double-teams off of him. Take pressure off of him and make plays.
“Followed the Bucs back in the day with Warren Sapp and Mike Alstott. With my old teammate, Arrelious Benn on the Bucs, I would watch Bucs games.
“When Coach Schiano called, I almost had a heart attack. I didn’t know they were going to trade for me. To be the second guy drafted today, my dad, he jumped out of his chair and my step-mom, she rolled on the floor. To see that happen was a great moment.”
April 27th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
So Happy for this guy
April 27th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
That’s a beautiful last quote I love this guy already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 27th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
He is very confident ilovetht
April 27th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Per WalterFootball:
Akeem Spence*, DT, Illinois
Height: 6-1. Weight: 305. Arm: 33.48.
40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
4/24/13: Spence is another player who should’ve returned for his senior season. He was hit and miss in 2012. The junior didn’t play well against Wisconsin, but did well versus Penn State. Spence has some speed and explosiveness, but needs to improve his ability to defend the run. He needs more strength to anchor, and just get more consistent overall. Spence totaled 72 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble this year.
Spence had a good Combine performance and surprised as one of the leaders in the bench press with 37 reps.
8/25/12: Spence had a big-time sophomore season as a run-stuffer. He totaled 69 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2011.
Spence has a lot of upside and it will be interesting to see how he plays in 2012 without Whitney Mercilus next to him. Spence still has a nice defensive end to work with him in Michael Buchanan. Spence had 45 tackles, four tackles for a loss and one sack as a redshirt freshman. If the junior becomes a dangerous pass-rusher, his stock could skyrocket.
April 27th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
A Priceish, Millerish, bodybuild
Maybe this guy is a combination of the two 😉
April 27th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
this kid is awesome, I used to watch him play when he was in high school here in FWB. His family is very humble and he will be a great player for the Bucs!
April 27th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
all right FWB Viking lets see what you got bro!