Jason Licht: Rookie Cornerbacks Have Been As “Amazing” As Emeka Egbuka
June 23rd, 2025
“Dean, Zyon, the boss says these dudes are comin’ for you.”
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht tries hard to contain his swagger publicly when talking about the Tampa Bay roster.
It’s an effort.
Thankfully, Licht has a quality stable that requires him to rein in his excitement so he doesn’t sound like a high-fivin’, chest-bumpin’ buffoon in June.
The entire stud offense returns, and it’s collectively a young group that just added Emeka Egbuka, a first-round pick at wide receiver.
Licht told Sports Day Tampa Bay that Egbuka, through the spring, looked more talented and explosive than the Bucs even expected after drafting him at No. 19 overall. Joe would agree. Egbuka, in practices open to media, looks like a very hungry stud.
But what Licht said about his next two draft picks, cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, really got Joe’s attention.
“They’ve been as amazing as what we talk about Emeka,” Licht said. “And, you know, I know Todd’s come out and talked about how smart [Emeka] is; ‘Plug him in any of the positions in wide receiver, we’re good.’ Those guys have been equally as impressive. It’s been fun to watch. I mean, I don’t want to already stamp them as [stars], but we feel very, very good about them helping us out a lot this year. Plus Zyon’s having an amazing offseason as well. Very few teams, I think, have three young corners with that much talent right now.”
Strong stuff there from Licht.
Imagine if Licht hits on these first three draft picks like he feels he has as of today. The Bucs could be looking at a dozen wins.
Regardless, what a cornerbacks competition it will be in training camp.
Zyon McCollum is in a contract year and the rookies are looking NFL-ready. And remember, Jamel Dean remains in play with his fat contract, Super Bowl ring and big-time skillset.
June 23rd, 2025 at 2:14 am
I feel he did hit on his first 4 picks, what’s crazy is that Lichts favorite pick of the draft was his 4th pick and until we get pads on there’s no way to tell how Walker really looks. If we hit on 3 of 4 picks in the first 4 I think we’re vastly improved from last season.
June 23rd, 2025 at 5:56 am
I said it when they were drafted, Morrison, and Parish will start. Tykee moving to safety will give us 3 new starters in the secondary. Dean will become a valuable backup, but I think we trade him.
June 23rd, 2025 at 6:11 am
“ So he doesn’t sound like a high-fivin’, chest-bump in’, buffoon in June”. That’s funny. It’s now summer. It’s extremely difficult to win any NFL game. The reality is like summertime hitting you in the face after a wet and wild spring when life is easy. Now you have to grind to get through these hot, dry days. Even the GM can hardly contain his high hopes. But Jason knows what a fine line there is between success and failure in this game. And he knows that LaVonte and Mike and Tristan and Antoine don’t listen to all the nonsense of how great they are. And Todd has seen it all before, probably twice. The 2 leaders of this team are Jason and Todd. And they have the mix of players who know what they need to do.
June 23rd, 2025 at 6:28 am
I honestly think we got 3 first round picks with Emeka, Morrison and Parish.
Morrison was considered the top CB before the hip issue. He’s a 1st round talent that we got in the 2nd.
Parish is also a 1st round talent but he dropped 2 rounds because of 2 inches.
But Parish is a first round athlete. A 4.3 CB who tackles, blitzes and is very cunning.
And I also think David Walker has a 1st round ceiling.
June 23rd, 2025 at 6:57 am
Ouch! Licht left out Jamel Dean. Sounds like he is in the doghouse.
June 23rd, 2025 at 7:26 am
Wait until they understand the nuances of “let nothing over your heads” and the 12 yard cushion on 3rd and 5. Our DC could make Deion Sanders look like Dionne Warwick. Regression therapy is coming.
June 23rd, 2025 at 7:30 am
I bet Dean will be out 6 weeks with an injury to his after reading this article.
June 23rd, 2025 at 7:31 am
*pride
June 23rd, 2025 at 8:01 am
I’ll be looking forward to the joint practices to see how the rookies can play. After last year’s preseason, Tyrek Funderburk, was hailed as a great CB, don’t forget how Funderburk and Hayes played under the tutelage of CB coach Kevin Ross, I would be more optimistic if Ross had done better last year. This year we are hopeful these rookie DB’s can play, but I’m not buying the underwear season praise.
June 23rd, 2025 at 8:03 am
We do have an extremely talented roster, on both sides of the ball, heading into the 2025 season. As they are every season for every team, injuries are an unknown. They’re unpredictable and unpreventable. The only other major uncertainty for the Bucs this year is the performance of Grizzard, the new OC. If these two unknowns fall on the positive side, the 2025 Bucs will be a formidable team.
BEAT ATLANTA!
June 23rd, 2025 at 8:23 am
Is it just me or is Dean looking a bit more jacked than usual?
June 23rd, 2025 at 8:49 am
Cassie … I was thinking exactly the same thing when I first looked at that photo of Dean & McCollum.
We’ll have at least 5 quality CBs … Dean, McCollum, Morrison, Parrish & Bryce Hall. Plus I think most of us really consider both Izien & Tykee Smith to really be very versatile DBs who can play both Safety AND CB. In essence I’d say that we’ve picked up at least 3 quality Secondary players this year: Morrison, Parrish & Hall. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if JJ Roberts sneaks in there as a Safety based on what so many others are saying.
IF our defense can stay relatively healthy, we should be able to make it back into the Top-10 defensively. And our offense should be able to rank in the Top-10 once again offensively. IF both of those come to pass, Bucs will be in the hunt all seson long.
June 23rd, 2025 at 9:21 am
Dean isnt being traded during or before the season and anybody that suggests that doesn’t pay attention at all.
June 23rd, 2025 at 9:23 am
Deans’ always been a big fella, looks more like a cross between an underweight ILB and a small TE, but he runs like a gazelle when healthy and isn’t afraid to tackle…when healthy. That’s his thing though, mayor of the blue tent.
June 23rd, 2025 at 9:27 am
Tell me you are replacing Dean without telling me you’re replacing Dean.
June 23rd, 2025 at 9:50 am
Is it me or does Dean look a little pumped Up!!!! probably told him to muscle up a little to avoid tick tack injuries!!!! His last chance, love to see him succeed. Go Bucs
June 23rd, 2025 at 11:33 am
Doosh
Pretty sure dislocated pride is 8-10 week injury.