On a Bucs defense that is regarded very highly throughout the league, it takes splash plays and consistency day in and day out to stand out. For undrafted safety Nolan Turner out of Clemson, that means picking off Tom Brady during camp and finishing his first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins second on the team with five tackles.

Bucs S Nolan Turner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In Todd Bowles’ defense, Turner has looked comfortable in his drops into coverage and always being near the ball. His comfort level in camp has increased in the past couple of weeks, and it started with his big interception weeks ago.

“It was pretty cool, but I’m really just out there trying to do my job,” Turner stated on his pick of Brady. “Make the plays I’m supposed to make, be in the right spots. Just trying to take it one play at a time, one day at a time is kind of my focus out here.”

There are sure to be ups and downs for Turner in camp and the preseason, but the way he has carried himself so far speaks to his football I.Q. and maturity as he grows at the next level. He definitely grew in college, being a six-year super senior and finishing his last season at Clemson with 69 tackles despite battling injuries.

His maturity and not being afraid of fighting to be a part of an established defense has caught the eye of at least one veteran on the Bucs. Logan Ryan, a new addition himself in the secondary, commented on Tuesday after practice that he’s proud of the work Turner is putting in.

“I mean shoot, I’m proud of him,” Ryan said. “He plays both strong safety and free safety and can fill in. You have to be smart to play in the secondary, that’s what I learned right away. He’s able to do it, he’s beating guys out because he’s smart and he’s not afraid.”

Turner has also shown off the field he is unafraid as well. It is common throughout the league that most rookies have to sing a song in front of the veterans, and Turner’s choice of “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. definitely caught the attention of some of the guys, Ryan included.

Bucs S Nolan Turner, WR Scotty Miller and CB Kyler McMichael – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“We even made him sing his rookie song. He sang Biggie, word for word, so he wasn’t afraid about that either,” Ryan said. “So, you know, he’s definitely showing up each and every day and doing well for himself and I’m proud of him.”

It’s a crowded safety room for the Bucs, that much has been established. Being around high-caliber guys like Ryan, Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Jr, Mike Edwards and Keanu Neal among others will only aid his development. Turner commented that he is “really getting things down and learning the defense.” More reps and time with the veterans on the team only aids that.

It is down to the final roster cuts on whether the Bucs keep a fifth safety, but Turner has made a strong case based on what he’s done on and off the field as a Buccaneer so far. With a good showing on defense and special teams at Indianapolis on Saturday in the preseason finale Turner just may make the 53-man roster.