With mandatory mini camp now in the rearview, Bucs rookie defensive lineman Calijah Kancey and the rest of the 2023 draft class will set their sights on their first NFL training camp. In just about a month, the team will come back together at the AdventHealth Training Center and get things ramped up for real action.

But already, Kancey has begun to learn and grow as a professional throughout OTAs and mini camp.

“I think I learned a lot of football schematically,” Kancey said Thursday. “Just understanding the new defense for me coming from a 4-3 in college to a 3-4 here. There are just a lot of movements and stuff like that. It’s just understanding football as a pro.”

The No. 19 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Kancey has been given plenty of chances to grow and learn during his first taste of the NFL. His speed is something that is helping to transform Tampa Bay’s defensive line as it goes from heavy and run-focused to lighter, quicker and better equipped to rush the passer. The movements within Todd Bowles’ defense is something that Kancey has already taken a liking to.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: USA Today

“I love it. It’s awesome,” the rookie said of Bowles’ defense. “A lot of movements, which I’m good at. Speed in the interior is what we want. I think it’s a great thing. I love it.”

Kancey’s speed is no secret, as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine of anyone at his position group since 2003. He blazed a 4.67 time, giving everyone a glimpse at just how quick he can be. His speed is evident on tape, too, as it’s what helped the undersized lineman make some noise on the interior during his college career at Pitt.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, the 22-year-old’s calling card is certainly his quickness and agility, and that’s already been on display on the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center this summer.

Of course, there’s plenty for the young Calijah Kancey to learn, but a big plus is the fact that he’ll be playing next to a Pro Bowl-caliber nose tackle in Vita Vea. One of the Bucs’ defensive captains last year, Vea has already been helping the rookie along in the last couple of weeks.

Not only that, but he’s sure to eat up a healthy dose of double-teams on the field, which will open up an opportunity for Kancey and the rest of the defense to do some damage.

“Vita is doing a great job of teaching me the game,” Kancey said. “He is helping me out a lot and he is going to draw a lot of attention, which will help me and the defense out, as well.”

Lavonte David Thinks Calijah Kancey Can Have An “Immediate Impact”

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Calijah Kancey is definitely still in the learning phase as he adjusts to life as a pro, but Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is happy with the way his first-round pick is developing to this point in his first NFL offseason.

“He’s smart. He’s a lot smarter,” Bowles said. “He’s not just a lineman trying to line up and do things, he’s trying to understand everything on the defensive line and the offensive line so he knows how to play. I’m very impressed with that.”

As impressed as Bowles is, Bucs veteran linebacker Lavonte David may be even more impressed with his fellow Miami Northwestern High School alum. 

“I’ve been watching Calijah since Little League,” David said. “We played at the same Little League, went to the same high school – I’ve been watching him for a while. When he ended up going to Pitt, being a two-time All-American there, that was expected with the mindset that he has. I’ve talked to him the last couple of days that I’ve been here and he’s definitely got it. He’s definitely ready to learn, definitely one of those guys who can help us win football games and I’m glad he’s part of the team.”

As a first-round pick, Kancey will of course be counted on to contribute early and often in 2023. He figures to be a big part of Tampa Bay’s defensive line, mixing in with Greg Gaines and Logan Hall next to Vea. David has no qualms about expecting the former Pitt Panther to burst onto the scene as a rookie.

“Immediate impact. Immediate impact.” David said. “He’s a guy who can create mismatches, one-on-ones with offensive linemen, and he can be disruptive in the run game. People always look for the Vita Vea’s, but sometimes those small, compact guys can split double teams and get in the backfield and create havoc in the backfield.”