If one were to look at a Bucs player currently on the roster that is “wise beyond his years,” look no further than rookie safety Tykee Smith. The former West Virginia Mountaineer and Georgia Bulldog has fit seamlessly into the defense as he attempts to crack the starting roster as a nickel corner.

Bucs S Tykee Smith – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R

While Tykee Smith maybe hasn’t made the overall splash play yet with interceptions like veteran Tavierre Thomas has, Smith is already trusted with doing his job. That’s a rare thing to see in this day and age, especially in this defense.

“He’s been great,” head coach Todd Bowles said of Smith so far through training camp. “He’s a true [veteran]. He understands the defense. You never see him with ‘M.E.’s’ (mental errors). He plays with a calmness and a patience of understanding what people are trying to do to him. We don’t say much about him because he’s almost like a vet – he does everything right so much that you kind of forget that he’s a rookie and that he just came in here.”

Tykee Smith Is “Definitely Ahead” Compared To Other Rookies

Bowles’ infatuation with Smith has been apparent ever since they drafted him in April. His teammates have caught on quick with how great he can be for the Bucs. Take strong safety Jordan Whitehead for example, who mentioned that Smith is much further ahead at this time than when he was a rookie entering the league with the Bucs. Whitehead was ask about who has impressed him early on in camp and Smith was his answer.

Bucs safeties Jordan Whitehead and Tykee Smith – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R

“Defensive-wise, Tykee Smith,” Whitehead said. “A lot of the corners are doing [well] out there. There’s a lot of guys. But, mainly, Tykee coming in – playing nickel [cornerback], safety…Just being with him and seeing him, he’s definitely learned a lot. When I came in, he’s definitely ahead of me from my first year.”

Many rookies come into the league and quickly reference the difference in speed at the NFL level. Smith would not be one of those players. He felt he came in ready for what to expect based on his experience playing at Georgia.

“I don’t think the speed necessarily changed – the game speed,” Smith said. “I went to the University of Georgia so I went against a lot of the top guys there every day. I think that’s another reason why I transferred to Georgia, just to get that exposure and be on that level and go against that competition every day. I think that definitely helped me for this level.”

Preparation Has Led To High Football IQ

Tykee Smith has been big on watching film in his preparation. He credits a lot of studying to getting him to where his game needs to be.

“A lot of preparation [has] been going on behind the scenes and then getting the chance to learn from the older guys,” Smith said. “The vets in the room take me under their wing and show me the ropes like that.”

Bucs DB Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Among those veterans include Antoine Winfield Jr.

“[He’s] helped me very well,” Smiths said. “Just, [he’s] telling me what to do, what not to do. When he sees certain stuff, he’s been communicating [really] well when we’re out there on the field together, and just helping me be in position.”

What having Tykee Smith playing with the knowledge of essentially at veteran is that it allows Todd Bowles to open up even more of the playbook. The versatility between Winfield, Whitehead and Smith gives Bowles tons of options in his calls.

“It’s a huge edge,” Bowles said. “He’s come in and he’s picked everything up without missing a beat. He has the experience of a seven-or-eight year player, so it seems. He has some things to learn, but he plays so calm and he plays under control. He knows where everything is and can read everything, along with his toughness. He’s a perfect fit for us.”