Standing at just 5-11 and roughly 210 pounds, it is no secret that undrafted rookie inside linebacker Kalen DeLoach is a bit undersized for the position. But despite being smaller, DeLoach still packs a punch and has impressed the team throughout the offseason.

As he looks to make the team and showcase his skill set over the next couple of months, the former Florida State linebacker got quite the endorsement from Lavonte David recently during the Bucs’ mandatory mini-camp.

Lavonte David On Kalen DeLoach: “He’s An Undersized Linebacker, That’s What I Love”

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

Standing at just 6-1 and 233 pounds himself, Lavonte David has made the most of his stature and has carved out a long and prosperous career as one of the marquee inside linebackers of his generation.

How has David been able to last?

Well to him, it’s rather simple. If you can run and hit, you can be a linebacker in the league for a long time.  At 34 years old, he is cold-hard proof that you can have a productive career despite being “smaller.”

The veteran linebacker sees Kalen DeLoach as being more than capable of carving out a similar role and appreciates that his size has not deterred him from being a playmaker.

Kalen DeLoach Has Flashed During Bucs’ Offseason Practices

Bucs ILB Kalen DeLoach and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by: USA Today

Kalen Deloach did a lot of running and hitting during his time with the Seminoles, but especially during his last season with the team. In 13 games as a fifth-year senior, DeLoach recorded 68 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and even an interception.

Not only did he put up quality numbers, but he also lit up stopwatches with a 4.47 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine. With the combination of size and speed that DeLoach possesses, he is built more like a safety than an inside linebacker. Still, he has shown a knack for holding his own at the position and offers the kind of versatility that head coach Todd Bowles covets from his players.

It is little surprise, then, that he was one of the first undrafted free agents that Tampa Bay signed after the 2024 NFL Draft. After having running back Sean Tucker, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, and outside linebacker Markees Watts on the roster throughout last season, the Bucs have shown they are not afraid to keep undrafted players and give them opportunities on the field.

Looking at DeLoach, he has already gotten quite a bit of national praise for the potential impact that he could have right away. That impact has been felt throughout the Bucs’ offseason practice sessions.

Bucs ILB Kalen DeLoach – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

During the last week of OTAs, he demonstrated his blitzing prowess by coming off the edge and meeting the quarterback for a sack. Throughout mandatory mini-camp, he flashed by recording a couple of pass breakups and showing an overall above-average coverage ability.

DeLoach needs to continue having these moments to have any shot at cracking the 53-man roster. To do so will likely mean beating out J.J. Russell as the fourth inside linebacker behind David, K.J. Britt, and SirVocea Dennis. Not only will he have to showcase his talents at the position, but it will also mean making a mark on special teams and learning the tricks of the trade across the defense, perhaps even in the secondary.

Putting on the pads at training camp next month will reveal just how ready Kalen DeLoach is to make an NFL roster, but for now, he heads in with a lot of positive momentum and some high praise from one of the best linebackers in Bucs’ history.