“Household Name” In Round 7
May 3rd, 2017
Wait a minute. Did the Bucs really trade up to get a gargantuan steal (literally and figuratively) in the seventh round of the NFL Draft Saturday?
Washington Post writer/professional stats tribesman Mike Renner thinks so.
Renner sees 6-1, 330-pound defensive tackle Stevie Tu’iklolavatu out of the University of Southern California as a rare space eater who could become a renowned presence.
Renner labeled the newest Buccaneer one of five late draft picks most likely to become NFL stars.
While you’d be hard-pressed to find any nose tackle around the league currently classified as a “superstar,” Tu’ikolovatu has all the skills necessary to become a household name. In his final season at USC, Tu’ikolovatu was easily the highest-graded defensive lineman in run defense, trailing only Stanford’s Solomon Thomas nationwide in that respect (Thomas was drafted No. 3 overall by the 49ers). At nose tackle, not losing is usually more important than making plays, and Tu’ikolovatu was downgraded only 19 times all season in run defense – fewer than two times per game. The only issue with the USC defensive tackle is his complete inability to rush the passer. He collected all of 13 pressures last season on 327 pass-rushing attempts. At the NFL level, though, that’s far less of a concern, as he likely won’t be seeing the field in any sort of pass-rushing situation.
General manager Jason Licht made it clear that Tu’iklolavatu is a “two-down” player, which means he’s a backup behind Clinton McDonald and newcomer Chris Baker.
But it will be awfully interesting if Tu’iklolavatu can translate his massive girth to the NFL stage. A true run-plugger can be awfully valuable in spot duty.
As for Tu’iklolavatu becoming a “household name,” well, he better find a nickname in a hurry.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Tu’iklolavatu (pronounced TOO-ee-koe-loe-VAH-too) …
How about Too-Too? Or Tu-Tu? whichever spelling but you get the idea
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Or, you could go with Va-Tu!
That’s a rather squat fella right there! 6’1 330 lbs.!
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:14 pm
LC
TOO-ee
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:14 pm
#Test
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:20 pm
All I can think about when I hear the name Stevie is Kenny Powers.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Its old I know but I just watch that presser w mccoy 2 weeks ago I can say is wow. If mcnichols replacing Martin is real thing on this site then this 7 roundrr should good enough to replace Mccoy. Bias site for my bias opinion. Perfect world
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:27 pm
I think he goes by Tui (too-ee)
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Tu’tu
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Lamarcus, only problem with that is that Gmc is a pass rushing 3-tech. And Tui is a run stuffing nose tackle.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Backup for McDonald????? That means he will be a starter by week 6!!!!!!!
CM98 Has not played a full season as he goes into his 8th season!!!!! He has missed 17 games as a Buc!!!!! They should just place his locker in the training room!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Let’s make one thing clear. The due is an overaged prospect. He was 26 years of age playing against teenagers and guys in their early 20’s. He’s a grown @55 man playing against kids… he’d better do well. Here’s the thing about overaged line prospects… they never succeed in the pros. Danny Watkins (27), Peria Jerry (25) and Gaines Adams (24) were also overaged prospects that dominated their much younger, and physically inferior, opponents. This guy’s done growing. He isn’t getting bigger, faster, or stronger… not that he needs to get bigger… he was the fattest player at the Combine to begin with at a whopping 31.4% bodyfat.
The fact is, he has very little to offer this team (run defense and zero pass rush) and has ZERO upside. Other than refinement of technique, he will not be getting any physically better. We would’ve been better drafting almost anybody else.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:45 pm
“The due is an overaged prospect.”
lol he was a 7th rounder dude! Lighten up. Our biggest weakness on D was run defense last year and interior depth. If this guy gives us just 2-3 years of just OK depth & play in that position he was worth it considering most 7th rounders are working grocery stores within a year or 2 of being picked.
Snacks Harrison is just a 2 down guy like this and was a huge signing for the Giants.
rated as 4-5 rounder on NFL.com
rated 6 rounder on CBS
another pre-darft article saying Pats should target him in 5th
PFF said he’s one of the safer DT prospects and compares to Brandon Williams
But hey guys let’s complain about this guy because we should have gotten an upgrade to GMC in round 7 because that’s a realistic and positive way to think as a fan.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:51 pm
He went by Stevie T at USC…
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:53 pm
If he just stands there it should be effective.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
biggest thing for me is that he adds depth as a run stopper when the temperatures in Rayjay will be over 85. Rotate the interior lineman on early downs. Keep McCoy fresher for later in the games and on critical passing downs late.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Yea Im just gonna stick with calling him Stevie T. Has a nice ring too it plus its simple lol
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Brandon, the fact that you are up in arms over a 7th round pick is honestly the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen on here since this guy NosBos giaranteed everyone that we would be picking Dalvin Cook because the Draft is rigged for local guys to end up with local teams.
Cmon man, get your panties out of that knot and don’t be a Nos.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:03 pm
For a Samoan, 31% body fat is kinda on the skinny side ain’t it?
I hope he makes it and I think he probably has a lot of heart for the game and may just make things easier for the 3 technique Ice Cream Man cause Stevie T is gonna take 2 blockers.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:11 pm
His new nickname is coconut.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Him and baker bring so much versatility to the d. I see an attempt to mess around with a 3-4 once beckwith gets healthy with ayers, baker/stevie t and gmc on the line, lavonte and noah on outside and beckwith and kwon in the middle. I actually think that could be a pretty stout lineup and allows a lot of options for some versatile players.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Look at you sharing positive PFF stuff. Finally growing up.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Or you can just call him Stevie.. No?
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Call him lava, it’s in his name.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Great run stopper and space eater. Will help keep Baker fresh for 3rd down. Love all our picks
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:40 pm
The Pacific Monster
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:41 pm
I make a comment about one of the Joe’s and now I’m getting moderated. Screw that cry baby */♤♧£
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:42 pm
If you cant understand the symbols new Joe it means b1t €&
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:43 pm
You guys want a name…..how about “King Tut”…..lol
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:44 pm
……as in King Tutankamen”….
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Dude’s an islander … LAVA is a perfect nickname!
Those islander’s have insane strength … I don’t know why but they are just gifted with incredible strength … maybe it’s their diet, yams/cassava/taro?
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Stevie Tank
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:55 pm
@Brandon: My favorite over-age prospect of all time: Roger Staubach
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:55 pm
I’m a fan of big Stevie T. If we are serious about playing some 3-4 fronts this guy was a necessity. You can’t successfully play a 3-4 without one of these big bodies on the nose period.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:06 pm
big stevie
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:07 pm
big stevie t sounds better
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:18 pm
How many 7th rounders in the modern era have made the Pro Bowl?
That’s what I thought.
If he can survive camp and be a part-time contributor, he’s doing 7th-rounder work.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, Kendell Beckwith, Justin Evans should improve our run-defense a lot. The threesome plays at the LOS, they don’t get pushed around. That was our problem last season, getting pushed around at the LOS.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:23 pm
This draft is different than any other in recent memory. A guy in the 7th is like a 5th in a normal draft. Not sure why he fell so far but being the 2nd most efficient run stopper in all of college is saying something.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Imagine him and Baker inside, that’s 2 huge bodies stuffing the middle. With 2 of Ayers, Spawn, and Jacques on the outside on 1st downs wow…
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:25 pm
I guess Donald Driver is the only 7th Round draft pick to make the Pro Bowl.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Tiki
The obvious, yet appropriate choice
Stevie Tiki!
I think he was drafted to be our nose tackle, in a 3-4 defense
We have another huge polynesian, that will share nose tavkle positiin, on 3-4 defense
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Dont forget, Chris Baker was a DEFENSIVE END, in washingtons 3-4.
McCoy would be a perfect 3-4 DE. So would Gholsten, as a run stopper
Both Spence and Ayers could be stood ip, as Pass rushing Lbers.
With many of the personel moves we’ve made- think its obvious we are gonna run more 3-4. Im excited. I think 3-4 is very effective against the run.
May 3rd, 2017 at 2:57 pm
When I saw our Bucs draft this kid, I thought he was a steal. Watched him play here out west and his name was always being called on tackles. Yes, he’s a big’un but plays hard. Won’t be any nightclubs or crazy stuff going on with him. He’s mature and a family man. I think he..makes the team and contributes!
His college coach says he loves burgers and fries. So,,fast food joints in Tampa..LOOK OUT!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Stevie T!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 3:43 pm
good pick….he’ll provide solid depth and much needed run stuffing ability….GO BUCS!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Cotton candy, sweetie, go
Let me see the Tootsee Roll!
May 3rd, 2017 at 4:08 pm
I’m glad I don’t have to see any more of silga on first down
May 3rd, 2017 at 5:10 pm
@Fsuking Pretty sure everyone is thinking that same thing
May 3rd, 2017 at 5:15 pm
call the mofo “tatu”…he will tattoo yo azz in the run game
May 3rd, 2017 at 5:22 pm
A 6’1″ 330 pound man called Stevie? I like it.
May 3rd, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Gilbert Brown.
May 3rd, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Love love love th comments… and I love th pick… HE’S A 350LB FIRE HYDRANT!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 6:57 pm
I could see tu’i getting plenty of PT on first and second down. Mike smith loves to rotate guys in and out depending on situations. As a situational run stuffer he will do great. Statistically as a run stuffer he is the best at his position in this draft class. say what you will but there should be a ton of value in what he can do. Look at Will Gholston, terrible pass rusher but excellent run stuffer. These 2 will come in on 1st and second down and just smother a running game.
May 3rd, 2017 at 8:17 pm
This is for all the stck carriers out there.. SPEAK SOFTLY N CARRY A BIG TU’IKOLOVATO !!!…lol
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:19 pm
I wonder if he can sing somewhere over the rainbow.
May 4th, 2017 at 2:13 am
Stevie T is easy enough.