Buccaneers Getting A "Hard Worker" in Pittsburgh DL Calijah Kancey
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened up the 2023 NFL Draft with an eye on the defensive side of the ball as the team selected Calijah Kancey with the No. 19 overall pick. The pick marked the third straight year that the Buccaneers have used their first selection in the draft on a defensive lineman. Kancey, defensive end/outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and defensive lineman Logan Hall make up a young core of talent alongside proven star Vita Vea.
READ MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Calijah Kancey in Round 1 of 2023 NFL Draft
Watching the draft alongside his family in Miami, Kancey was at a loss for words when the Buccaneers selected him. He met with the team at the NFL Combine but wasn't a prospect that came in for a top-30 visit.
"I had a great draft process, man," Kancey said to the media shortly after being drafted. "I want to thank the Buccaneers for drafting me but honestly throughout this process, talking to them, I didn't have no clue that I would be the one that they called and I'm very grateful for this opportunity."
Kancey was able to call on a lot of people for advice leading up to the draft, including one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play the game, Aaron Donald.
"I talked to a lot of guys. Aaron Donald, a lot of my former teammates. Patrick Jones, Rashad Weaver, Kenny Pickett," Kancey said. "I talk to all my guys at Pitt, I talk to every one of those guys. They all just gave me some input on how to approach the game and what to look for and how they went through it."
Interestingly enough, Kancey has actually been compared to Donald which is easy to do since they both were dominant forces at Pittsburgh and are relatively the same size. He's grateful for the comparison but is focused on establishing his own name.
"Man, that's a great comparison, honestly, but I'm Calijah Kancey at the end of the day," Kancey said. "It's great to be compared to a guy like that and that caliber but at the end of the day, I'm Calijah Kancey and that's who I want to make a name for."
Playing side by side with a veteran like Vita Vea, Kancey believes that the two will be able to learn a lot from one another. He's looking forward to watching how Vea models his craft.
"I can't wait to be a sponge, man. Every day I want to just learn from him, I want to see how he approaches the game as a pro," Kancey said. "I want to see what things he can help me with and what things I might can help him with and then we just going to go out there and make plays."
Though he doesn't have a relationship with any players on the Buccaneers, Kancey has a tie to star linebacker Lavonte David as the two both played at Miami Northwestern High School. He says that David kind of reminds him of himself.
"Lavonte David, a blue-collar guy, a guy that keeps that chip on his shoulder, kind of reminds me of myself as well," Kancey said. "Two Miami guys, going to Miami Northwestern, the powerhouse of Miami football and just staying on the course, staying to the course and not forgetting that we've got that chip on our shoulder. That's something that stands out from him to me."
So where does that chip come from that Kancey is referencing?
"I want to say being overlooked my whole life," Kancey said. "Not too many people believing in me, not passing the eyeball test for many guys but also just proving myself right and not trying to prove anyone else wrong."
Though the Florida native realized his dream of being drafted in the first round on Thursday, he recognizes there is work to do as he transitions to the professional level. One thing that Kancey wants to do is become more consistent.
"Something I hope to do when I get there at the next level, I want to learn the playbook and I want to be able to play faster than what I am," Kancey said. "I think knowing the playbook and knowing what you got to do on the field helps you play faster so that's something I'm going to put a lot of work into."
"I want to get better at being consistent. Being able to have that great footwork, great technique and just being in position to make those plays," Kancey continued. "That's just something I've got to do every down and that's what I'm going to be working on."
Kancey believes that many people overlook his ability as a run-stopper. He recorded 27.5 tackles for loss over his final two years with the Panthers, proving that he's not afraid to mix it up in the middle.
"I bring that pop. I think guys kind of don't know how explosive I am and guys kind of I want to say fall asleep on my run game," Kancey said. "As you can see, I had a lot TFLs in the previous years and I actually love stopping the run so we're going to surprise a lot of people."
With the Buccaneers coming off a disappointing season, the franchise needs players who are willing to go the extra mile for success. Kancey says that he wants to get better every day.
"I just know every day I got to work on getting 3% better. I'm not where I want to be at and that's where I can't get stuck in my head. I've got to stay hungry and that's something that I focus on a lot. I want to make sure that I never get complacent and I want to get better every day. I want to be the better version of myself every day."
While he hasn't had much of a chance to speak with head coach Todd Bowles, Kancey is looking forward to working with him.
"Me and coach Todd Bowles haven't spoke much but we're definitely looking forward to building a relationship," Kancey said. "I'm definitely going to give him the 100% that he deserves from me on the field, every down, every practice, every day."
What is Kancey planning to bring to the Buccaneers?
"Bucs Nation is getting a ball player. A guy who they can depend on, a guy who they don't have to worry about off the field but on the field he's going to make those plays. Just a great guy and a ball player, hard worker."
While Kancey might not have been the flashy pick for Tampa Bay on Thursday night, he fits the mold of what the franchise is looking for. General Manager Jason Licht even alluded to as much prior to the draft.
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