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Bucs general manager Jason Licht was peppered with questions during his training camp press conference this week, mostly pertaining around contract disagreements with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and franchise cornerstone nose tackle Vita Vea. Rightfully so these took up most of Licht’s attention as these are two situations that have taken up the top headlines of Tampa Bay’s training camp.

So, when Licht was finally asked a question that had to with something other than contract problems causing headaches, he was more than happy to oblige. This went tenfold when the question proposed to Licht had to do with his thoughts about first round pick, outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., and second round pick, inside linebacker Josiah Trotter, and their camp performances thus far.

Bucs GM Jason Licht Ecstatic Over Rueben Bain Jr.

“I couldn’t be happier, right now, with both,” Jason Licht said. “It’s not just what you see out there at practice, but just their overall approach to the game. They’re professionals. It means everything to them. [They have] all of the characteristics we look for in a player and I couldn’t be happier. Not just them, but right now, the entire rookie class and the free agents that we’ve brought in. It’s been awesome.”

Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Leah Vrabec/PR

Bain has been turning heads since day one of coming to Tampa. It was already a shock that he dropped to 15 with the Bucs. He went viral for the way he grabbed the Bucs hat and didn’t pose long for a picture on draft night. Then OTAs and mini-camp showed his work ethic, sprinting from drill to drill and giving a preview of what’s to come.

His performance during training camp has reinforced all that we have thought about him. The one knock on Bain was his short arms. That was dispelled quickly. And the way that he disposed of Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke, who is a better right tackle in the league, showed that he’s ready to go against the best that opponents have to offer. Todd Bowles had plenty of praise about him recently.

“He has a very good understanding of the system, and he plays fast, and he’s working well with the guys,” Bowles said. “So, for a rookie coming in, knowing what he knows right now, I’m very pleased with it.”

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Todd Bowles Credits Josiah Trotter For Making Big Impact

There were more questions about Josiah Trotter when he was selected. But what he’s done since training camp is really lean into his best traits. Trotter has been loud and motivation with his teammates. His physicality has been on display, too, getting the better of tight end Cade Otton with a hard hit, much to the applaud of Tampa Bay fans for his efforts.

As soon as the pads came on, Trotter has lit it up. It gives a good problem to have for Bowles as Trotter is making a case to start next to Alex Anzalone at inside linebacker come the start of the regular season.

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: Adam Warren/PR

“Yeah, he’s been coming along great,” Bowles said of Trotter. “We knew his impact would be felt once we got in pads. That’s kind of what we saw in college. He makes his presence felt. He’s really picking up the scheme really well and understanding what he can do to cheat to make plays within it.”