Bucs’ Best Bets: Inside Linebackers

Bucs’ Best Bets Rounds 1-3: Mississippi State ILB Willie Gay

Gay is a polarizing draft prospect in that he’s a tremendous athlete with good productivity in his three years at Mississippi State, but he comes with some character concerns. Gay recorded 99 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown for the Bulldogs, including 48 stops, 5.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions as a starter as a sophomore. But last year, Gay was suspended twice – once for academic fraud and once for getting into a fight with the team’s quarterback and breaking the QB’s jaw – and was limited to just five games.

Gay turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine running 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds. To put that in perspective, Devin White, last year’s first-round pick in Tampa Bay, blazed a 4.42 at 6-foot, 237 pounds – a very similar time for a very similar-sized linebacker. The Bucs love speed and playmaking ability, and that’s why Gay is on the team’s radar. Gay had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine, but did meet with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Indianapolis. Gay could slide to Day 3 due to the character issues, but would be a good value in the third round if the Bucs wanted to draft a linebacker that could be an heir apparent to Lavonte David. – Scott Reynolds

Bucs’ Best Bets Rounds 4-7: Miami ILB Shaquille Quarterman

Quarterman is a four-year starter for the Hurricanes that was highly productive and stayed healthy during his time in Miami. The 6-foot, 234-pound middle linebacker recorded 356 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, 12 sacks, five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one interception and one defensive touchdown during his collegiate career. Quarterman is a no-nonsense linebacker with great leadership skills.

Quarterman is a better football player than he is an athlete, evidenced by a pedestrian 4.74 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, in addition to a 31-inch vertical leap. He played on the East Squad coached by Bucs inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell, who was the head coach of that team at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Quarterman developed a good rapport with Caldwell there, and then met with him again in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine during an informal interview. Kevin Minter signed a one-year deal to be the backup Mike linebacker behind White, and Quarterman could be drafted on Day 3 to ultimately replace him and possibly be groomed to replace David. – Scott Reynolds