Jacob Parrish’s rookie season produced 76 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks, but the second-year Bucs cornerback is not satisfied.

Entering 2026, Parrish believes the plays he did not make may be just as important as the ones he did. After playing primarily in the slot as the nickelback during his rookie year, he is expected to kick outside. That is where he was able to utilize his skill set and make a name for himself at Kansas State.

Now, Parrish has the same goal in mind for the Bucs this season.

Jacob Parrish Self Scouts His Rookie Season: “I Left Some Plays On The Field”

While flashing strong instincts and impressive physicality for a 5-foot-10, 198-pound cornerback, Tampa Bay’s 2025 third-round pick still believes he left too much on the field during his rookie season.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I feel like I left some plays on the field that I feel like I’m capable of making, especially just defending the pass,” Jacob Parrish said recently during a special guest appearance on the Pewter Report Podcast. “I feel like I was in a good position at times, but I wasn’t able to make a good play on the ball. I know what I’m capable of doing; I know I’ll get that job done this next year. Even tackling, I feel like there were a few games I had some bad games and didn’t tackle at my best, so that’s something I’ve been focusing on too this offseason.”

Tampa Bay’s secondary endured its share of breakdowns, and Parrish is using the team’s collective under-performance as a chip on his shoulder to take the next step.

With Tampa Bay drafting Keionte Scott in the fourth round, Parrish is set to be the next graduate of the nickel position, following in the footsteps of Christian Izien and Tykee Smith. With Scott in the slot, he can move back to his more natural position on the outside. Speaking about moving inside, Parrish was open about how challenging it was.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It was pretty difficult, to be honest,” Parrish said. “That’s a whole different ball game playing corner, you’re on an island. I was still young, trying to learn the playbook. I didn’t know it fully as a corner, I knew the ins and outs as a nickel, but I wasn’t as confident as I am now as a corner. I would say it was a pretty difficult transition.”

His comfort level at cornerback provides optimism that Parrish can hit the ground running in Year 2. Throughout the team’s OTAs this offseason, he was featured at both the nickelback and cornerback positions during practice. When it comes to where he sees himself full-time, he is bracing to be used anywhere.

As things stand entering training camp, Zyon McCollum appears locked into one starting spot while 2025 second-round pick Benjamin Morrison and Parrish are expected to compete for snaps opposite him.

With Morrison in the mix, and Scott being able to kick outside and handle spot safety duty, it leaves Parrish in a position to roam around a little bit. That is especially true, given that head coach Todd Bowles highly values versatility from his defensive backs.

“Shoot, to be honest, I really don’t know,” Parrish said about where he expects to line up the most. “We have a bunch of different pieces we can just move around so that’s what’s good about our secondary. We have a bunch of different people who can play nickel, safety, and corner so I feel like Todd Bowles has something he can cook with just moving us all around, so it’s going to be a fun year.”

Jacob Parrish Wants To Be One Of The Best Defenders — In The NFL

Jacob Parrish might not be confident about where he will line up most on the Bucs’ defense this season, but he is extremely confident that wherever he is, his impact will be felt.

“I’m really just trying to make a name for myself across the whole league,” Parrish said. “I can be one of the top defenders.”

Even with that personal goal in mind, Parrish also wants to see the team reach the playoffs after not winning the NFC South in 2025.

Bucs S Tykee Smith and CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“As a team, the first thing we have to focus on is trying to get back in the playoffs,” Parrish added. “That’s something I’m really worried about. I’m more team-oriented than self and individual goals. My main focus is on the team.”

There is a lot to like about what Parrish can provide to the secondary. With a full year of experience under his belt, that also means understanding the nuances of route recognition and the technical aspects of dissecting opposing offenses and quarterbacks. Between the knowledge Parrish has gained from being a film room junkie and his internal belief, he believes it will translate into becoming a playmaker.

“You have to have that confidence, you know?” Parrish said. “Once I step on the field, I feel like I’m the best player on the field and I’m always that person, every single day. Me making plays on the ball comes down to me and my film study. In the NFL, they repeat a lot of patterns and routes and stuff, so if you watch a lot of film, you get a hold on that.”

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The secondary is not the only area the Bucs are hoping for defensive improvement from. The defensive line and outside linebacker rooms have been bolstered with young talent and attitude, not to mention the inside linebacker room adding veteran stability and a promising rookie. When the names of A’Shawn Robinson, Rueben Bain Jr., David Walker, and a healthy Calijah Kancey were brought up, Parrish gushed about the possibility that awaits.

“They’re going to get to that quarterback so, me knowing that, sitting on routes more,” Parrish said. “Trying to anticipate routes, that’s going to lead to more interceptions, so I’m excited for them guys up front. They’re some dawgs.”

If Jacob Parrish’s confidence translates into the playmaking production he expects, the Bucs may have found another long-term cornerstone in their young secondary.

Watch Bucs CB Jacob Parrish On The Pewter Report Podcast

Bucs cornerback Jacob Parrish joined the Pewter Report Podcast earlier this month and provided plenty of insight during a 35-minute appearance. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out everything he had to say by clicking on this link or by watching it below: