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BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Canton clock is ticking for Lavonte David.

Although David won’t be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until the Class of 2031, the debate has already begun about his gold jacket credentials. Buc fans naturally feel he’s a slam-dunk candidate — and that’s understandable considering what David has meant to the franchise during his splendid 14-year career.

But as Tampa Bay’s lone Hall of Fame representative since 2005, I’m here to tell you the road to Canton may not necessarily be a smooth one.

I can hear Buc Nation collectively question my sanity.

You’re not alone.

While it’s true David has a compelling case for pro football’s shrine to excellence, he lacks one critical component in a glittering resume. Numbers? Sure. Hardware? He’s a little light.

David ends his career among the all-time leaders in tackles and tackles for loss. He made a major impact across the board and certainly embodies the Hall of Fame’s core values: commitment, integrity, courage, respect and excellence.

Luke Kuechly, who just earned a Canton bust in his second year of eligibility, can’t say enough about No. 54.

“The guy that I feel never gets enough credit is Lavonte,” Kuechly says. “I love Lavonte. Go look at his sacks, his forced fumbles and his fumble recoveries … it’s unbelievable.”

So what’s the problem?

David’s lack of Pro Bowls shouldn’t be a major issue. Hall of Fame voters don’t pay much attention to an honor that has been watered down significantly over the years. Instead, it’s his single first-team All-Pro designation that could slow David’s roll into Canton.

Many Hall of Fame selectors are the same voters who fill out All-Pro ballots. Unlike Buc fans, they didn’t see David play on a weekly basis. They didn’t see his consistent excellence as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker.

“I let my play do the talking,” David said at Tuesday’s retirement announcement.

Hopefully, that will be enough.

David ranks fourth in career tackles, behind Ray Lewis, London Fletcher and Derrick Brooks and just ahead of Bobby Wagner. Fletcher, who holds the record for most consecutive starts at linebacker, has been waiting since 2019 to be named one of the Hall’s 15 finalists for induction.

David was a better player than Fletcher, but Hall voters may not agree he was MARKEDLY better.

Let’s look at the off-ball linebackers who made the Hall of Fame while playing in this century.

                        1st Team All-Pro             All-Decade             D.P.O.Y.
Derrick Brooks                           5                      Yes                    Yes
Luke Kuechly                              5                      Yes                    Yes
Ray Lewis                                    7                       Yes                 Twice
Junior Seau                                6                        Yes                    No
Zach Thomas                              5                        Yes                    No
Brian Urlacher                           4                        Yes                    Yes
Patrick Willis                              5                        Yes                    No

That’s called hardware.

Wagner has six first-team All-Pro honors and was an All-Decade choice. He was in the same 2012 draft class as David and Demario Davis, quite a linebacker trifecta. But while David’s Buccaneers were in the midst of a 12-year playoff drought, Wagner’s Seahawks made the postseason seven times between 2012-19.

That brought considerably more national exposure to Wagner, who has played for four teams and is currently a free agent.

Even Kuechly had to wait a year for his enshrinement — and it’s hard to imagine voters holding David in higher regard than his Carolina counterpart.

Nobody knows the Hall of Fame finalist class for 2031. We could assume David will make the final 15 in his first year of eligibility, but try telling that to London Fletcher, who has never heard his case discussed among the voting bloc.

Those of us who witnessed David’s elite play would consider it a travesty if Canton makes him sit and take a number, yet it happens. Cris Carter waited six years. John Lynch waited eight. Lynn Swann waited 14.

While Lavonte David is no slam-dunk, he’s a heck of a candidate. He may not have the hardware, but David’s an exceptionally hard guy to dismiss.