During the offseason we’ve heard Todd Bowles say he wants ballhawks, ballhawks, and more ballhawks. Tampa Bay found some by signing sack specialist Haason Reddick, who has a knack for forcing fumbles, drafting two cornerbackss in Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish while also selecting two other defensive players with outside linebacker David Walker and defensive lineman Elijah Roberts on Day 3.

Of the six draft picks in 2025, four of them were on the defensive side of the ball. The Bucs have made a conscientious effort to improve their defense with the hope of producing more takeaways. And yet through all of this, the biggest ballhawk the team may have could be just by moving third-year inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis into the starting lineup.

SirVocea Dennis Has Dominated Bucs Practices

Throughout all of the offseason practices in OTAs, it’s been SirVocea Dennis that has stood out the most on defense. Dennis has had limited playing time in two seasons but he’s always had a knack for finding the football. That’s continued this spring and summer as he’s had an interception off of Baker Mayfield and having several pass breakups. He just has a knack of getting his hands on the football.

Long-time veteran Lavonte David has not participated in any of the voluntary practices so he can preserve his body for the regular season. That is what is best for the Bucs at this stage of his career as a 35-year old linebacker, so it’s been Dennis that has been running the show with the help of other veteran linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

While each linebacker has made plays in practice, which is a great sign for Tampa Bay, Dennis has been the most consistent. Last season he was in a platoon situation with K.J. Britt until his season-ending injury in a Week 4 win over Philadelphia. But when he was available, he was Tampa Bay’s best linebacker in pass coverage. This offseason he’s been back at it again.

“Growing up, I played a lot of different positions so I think that definitely helped,” Dennis said of his ability to intercept passes in practice. “It’s just the feel of the game really. You have to understand where guys want to attack you, you have to understand certain coverages but also certain times and certain plays that the offense likes to attack you in a certain place of the field. I think once you understand that pretty well, it’s pretty much easy to know where they want the ball to go, and then if you know how to manipulate the quarterback in front of you, it’s just that much better.”

This is truly the year for Dennis to shine as it’ll be his first opportunity to be a full-time starter in Tampa Bay’s defense, replacing Britt, who wasn’t re-signed. He’s spent the last couple of seasons getting a firm grasp of Todd Bowles’ scheme – even though he’s only played defense in a handful of games.

“The fact that he’s been here two years – he understands how it works and what to do,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “Just the experience and him being out on the field every day and staying healthy will help him a great deal. I don’t worry about him from the game getting too big for him standpoint. He understands everything, he knows how to play, and right now, he’s in the best shape he’s been in since he’s been here.”

Can SirVocea Dennis Stay Healthy For The Bucs?

The biggest hill to climb for SirVocea Dennis will be remaining healthy for the entire season. He hasn’t been able to prove that through two seasons in a reserve role, so with more snaps and the physicality of football, now all of a sudden he’s going to try to play in all 17 games.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Thankfully, the Bucs have better, more experienced depth at inside linebacker than last year, so they’re better prepared to withstand an injury to either Dennis or Lavonte David. After shoulder surgery Dennis feels as good as new now, and hopefully he stays that way.

“I feel great,” Dennis said. “Actually, I felt great [during] our last playoff game, really. It just feels amazing being out here practicing with the guys, just being around football and just being back just to play healthy.”