The Ayden Garnes Files
August 12th, 2026
Undrafted Bucs rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes today practicing in New Jersey.
Joe hasn’t written much about undrafted rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes for a couple of reasons.
First, he was an undrafted rookie out of the University of Arizona and he wasn’t coming off an injury last season. So why wasn’t the highly-athletic Garnes drafted? Joe needed to see Garnes do something especially impressive (more than some good practices) before beginning to drool.
Today, the drool started flowing a little, especially given the injuries to Buccaneers cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and Zyon McCollum (unknown).
Garnes had a day practicing against the Jets in New Jersey. The Bucs were thin at corner and Garnes and Demarion Williams (who?) got a good share of first-team work.
To close practice, the first-team Jets offense was given the ball at their 20 yard line with timeouts and 1:06 on the clock.
On the second play of the drive after a dropped Jets pass, Geno Smith came out throwing to Jets stud receiver Garrett Wilson, who has three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in four NFL years. Garnes had him blanketed and broke up the pass on the left sideline. The Bucs’ bench erupted.
The Jets limped closer to midfield with about 15 seconds on the clock. Smith dropped back to pass — and back to his top target, Wilson. Again, Garnes was all over Wilson and cleanly broke up the pass; he didn’t just get in the way. On the Jets’ final play, as Joe detailed, Rueben Bain recorded his second sack of the drive. The Jets were done.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles noted the strong Garnes play against Wilson but said Garnes still has much to learn.
Of course he does, but there is room for optimism.
Not long ago in 2023, then-rookie cornerback/safety Christian Izien played 17 games and had two interceptions and a solid share of big plays. The way things are going with the Bucs’ health, Garnes may land in the spotlight quickly.
Big preseason game upcoming for the rookie.
August 12th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Let’s see if it sticks. Why not? It would be nice to have found a diamond in the rough for once in the Secondary.
August 12th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
I like him let’s Go
August 12th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
The 6.0 Ayden Garnes has good recovery skills with a 4.39 but is a lightweight at 181 lbs. I am guessing he wasn’t drafted due his poor tackling.
August 12th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
What happened to Funderburk…
August 12th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
This kid is the surprise of camp so far.
Not only will he make this team, he will be a starter at some point.
Hopefully the bozo fans on here understand he’s a rookie, an undrafted one, playing the hardest position on defense to learn.
August 12th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I can’t wait to see him play under the bright lights. Pepe too!
Im gonna assume JJ Roberts ain’t gonna make a TC or preseason appearance at this point. Bummer
August 12th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Build a D-line and the corners will come….
August 12th, 2026 at 4:00 pm
At least he’s not injured. Morrison was a wasted pick.
August 12th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Should have kept Izien but Bowles and Licht are Iziots
August 12th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
I’m hoping Joe, this kid has always shown up ready to give it his all from the start of rookie mini camp!!!! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!! 2 sacks on one drive Bain is looking the part so far and Walker. Keep’em on the sideline till it gets real in game one season opener.
August 12th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
He does look like he’s a bit skinny and should spend some time in the gym, but his speed is a huge asset. Still, you have to be strong enough to tackle…hopefully he is!
August 12th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
There will be cut downs too. I don’t think they want Trevon Diggs
August 12th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
i thought you said preseason games are worthless 1,000,000 times, give it a rest it’s tired and your a buzz kill to our psyching for friday night
August 12th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
I’ve heard it on good authorty that Myron Lewis is coming out of retirement.
August 12th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
I wish to hell that September would get here! We are damn desperate for something to talk about!
August 12th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Pound the over and the over on Burrow’s passing yards and make it a triple taking Cincy and the points. Seems like a no-brainer. I’ll eat my crow later but that offense is gonna crush it this year. Yikes.
August 12th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
@JfgoBucs
I think he’s in Carolina. I thought he could’ve been decent for the Bucs if they just kept working with him.
August 12th, 2026 at 6:03 pm
Glad he’s doing good. Between Zyon, and Morrison Licht needs to bring someone in.
August 12th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
“The Bucs were thin at corner and Garnes and Demarion Williams (who?) got a good share of first-team work.“
Actual underdogs, trying to get it out the mud. Who knows, Garnes can be the new Izien for all we know.
August 12th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Clean House is right
Izien was one of the only guys who played well last year.
He’s a warrior and he loves football.
He has many interceptions and FF in limited games.
Detroit is lucky to get him.
He was one of my favorite players.