“Playing Beyond His Years”
October 2nd, 2025
Rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish.
The flow of hit-the-ground running rookies at One Buc Palace has been so impressive over the past three seasons.
Tampa Bay got plenty of key contributors from the 2022 draft class, too. They just needed more time to develop: guys like Luke Goedeke, Zyon McCollum, Rachaad White and Cade Otton. (Yeah, Joe will be sweet and include Logan Hall, too.).
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has been crushing the draft compared to the vast majority of his colleagues.
Rookie third-round pick cornerback Jacob Parrish has been one of those instant hits.
Coaches and players tend to speak of Parrish with reverent tones, much like they use for rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka. No-nonsense cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross was doing just that on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week.
“He’s a great tackler,” Ross said of Parrish. “He breaks on the ball really well. He reads really well. He reacts very, very well. He’s playing beyond his years right now.”
The Bucs have had a lot of young defensive backs flow through their building during this golden era of Buccaneers football, but they didn’t get love and respect so quickly like Parrish has. Antoine Winfield’s situation in 2020 was different because The Sickness canceled spring practices and preseason.
Todd Bowles is so enamored with Parrish that he was selling his height yesterday. Known for preferring and adoring long cornerbacks, Bowles said 5-10 Parrish doesn’t qualify as short.
“He’s tall enough – he doesn’t seem like he’s tall in the program, but when you look at him, he’s tall and he’s strong,” Bowles said. “He has very quick feet. He understands the game, and he knows how to play it whether he’s inside or outside.”
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Parrish & Tykee are two really good 3rd round picks
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:33 pm
I’ve watched Parrish tackle. Reminds me of the fundamentals I was taught in jr. High school. Very impressive! So… Please, God; let him stay healthy!
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:37 pm
this guy is an excellent player.
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:38 pm
I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Parrish. Hopefully Morrison can play on Sunday too, if he’s ready to go…The question needs to be asked…Devin White and Britt were terrible in coverage, now Dennis is stinking up the joint, for the most part. Is it a flaw in the defense?
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Still waiting for the light to go on for Dennis. Haven’t seen it so far.
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:43 pm
On a different note, any word on McMillian? I know he’s not coming back yet, but this was the first week he could come back, and generally there’s at least some rumors about how he’s doing, like he’s getting close, etc – and I haven’t heard anything.
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:46 pm
I kind of just penciled in McMillan to return after the bye. Hopefully all the short term injured guys are back after the bye for the final stretch
October 2nd, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Jacob is that man. I dont remember him missing a single practice in OTA’s/training camp or preseason. He’s a bonifide dawg.
Morrison on the other hand….
October 2nd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
I say Jason Licht is a DAWG as a GM.
The Alpha of the NFL.
Love Parrish! Solid player with a good head on his shoulders.
Thank you Licht!
October 2nd, 2025 at 4:17 pm
Jason Licht has been killing it in the draft. The Bucs probably need to trade for some depth on the Offensive line, but I am sure it is hard for them to consider giving up draft capital considering how well they draft.
October 2nd, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Purple beard
The lights coming on.. it’s freight train headed directly down the tunnel at him.
October 2nd, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Tell you what guys, I’ve been pondering it and this article puts it all together for me.
Dennis, when he was drafted “was” Much Like Parish when he got drafted..
Dennis was FEARLESS! He’d SLAM into them with the Full Weight of his body like a “guided” missile.. He didn’t really miss tackles back then. He “WAS” touted as a worthy replacement at linebacker. Everybody remember that? He was a bit small for the position BUT he Was RELENTLESS!! He WAS Changing games. Remember what happened to our season once we lost him?
And now?? So, What Happened?
He’s just might be In His Head.. He’s could be “Mind Dealing”… He’s playing “scared”.
I kinda forgot what a force he WAS.. Actuality, it wasn’t a SKIDDING Year, last year “Until he Went Down” and he was Really Damaged badly. What was the injury? Shoulder/ Collar Bone? I Bet That REALLY HURT!
He hasn’t been the same guy At All this year. He “could” still be in pain and Or he’s Afraid he’s going to Break In Half again and if he does… the doctors might have told him “if you Do” hurt yourself in the same spot again, You’re Done!
Not sure what the exact truth is but he’s NOT the same Fearless tackler. He’s tentative and he’s playing sloppy. He’s not a dumb guy so he maybe milking it a bit I think. He’s holding back. I don’t know if I can blame him because he’s only got One Shot at this game as a career and the money Is Wonderful and probably Wont have an opportunity quite like this again. He might not Actually Be, ready to go 100% physically so he maybe attempting to protest himself and keep his job at the same time. Which isn’t playing out well…..
He IS BEING PUSHED OUT THERE A BIT EARLY and I’m “guessing” he’s in his head so badly that it’s d@mn near impossible to focus fully on his Actual job…
Of course I could be wrong. It’s a theory. But after thinking it through, seeing that he’s Far from the same guy mentally that he once Was… I’d bet on it.
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Licht doesn’t trade away the future very often. And he drafts smart high character guys who can play mutliple spots. He’s killing it and One Buc Place is full of home grown talent and a rich culture.
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
The guys from this draft have been excellent so far IMO. EE’s play speaks for itself. Morrison looked very good before tweaking his hammy Sunday. Parrish has been excellent. Roberts has been getting better and better every game. Tez has looked good in his limited time too. If Walker comes back next year and blows it up this could be one of Licht’s best classes ever.
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
I saw a video earlier today of Benjamin Morris’s reps against Philly. I think we nailed it with him and Jacob for sure!!!!
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
One thing for sure, his hamstring seem to work well. Go Bowles!
October 2nd, 2025 at 7:32 pm
It’s all about being healthy at the right time. If we’re healthy at the end watch out.