The potential for what second-year cornerback Zyon McCollum can be for the Bucs is an exciting one. This summer, McCollum has taken major steps in the right direction as a cover corner on the outside, highlighted by making big plays in training camp, plus an interception in the first preseason game.

Zyon McCollum has slated himself into a solid role as the Bucs’ primary backup corner after Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. While his coverage skills have visibly improved, Zyon McCollum still has a lot to clean up with making tackles. McCollum missed several tackles in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On one play during the second quarter, his poor angle in run coverage opened the door for Anthony McFarland Jr. of the Steelers to cut it to the outside and score for a 14-yard touchdown.

Zyon McCollum Steps Up With His Tackling

Steelers WR George Pickens and Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

By the time the second preseason game came around for the Bucs on the road against the New York Jets, McCollum immediately knew what he needed to work on. He accomplished this too, showing a significant amount of improvement in the tackling department.

McCollum only missed one tackle in the game, but more importantly recorded four tackles with three solo tackles on the night. It’s exactly what everyone wanted to see.

“I thought Zyon improved from last week,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “Which was big for him.”

A conversation with Bowles and McCollum that went on earlier on helped Zyon immensely when it came to finding works best for him in coverage. Making the tackles required of him is Zyon coming up with it on his own.

Bowles went on to say that as an entire defense, for the most part it was better than last week.

Zyon McCollum Reacts To His Performance

Pewter Report caught up with McCollum following the Bucs’ 13-6 win over the Jets to get his thoughts over his performance, especially when it came to making those stops.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

“My main point of emphasis going into the game was my tackling,” McCollum said. “It’s something I’ve been continuously working on day in and day out, so it was good to finally see with my eyes and use my technique. It’s been a steady progression since it’s been going on.

“But it’s just knowing where I have to be, where I’m supposed to fit and then from there the old adage of ‘Don’t deck your head. Don’t close your eyes. Stay on your feet as long as possible.’ So that’s been working for me.”

Making some of those solo tackles earlier in the game had him pumped up from the beginning. It hits a little bit different when you’re all that’s in the way of stopping a big play.

“Big time,” McCollum said. “I mean, you get up and your kind of juiced. It fires you up to keep going. Those solo tackles, to know that it’s just you and him between the end zone, it feels good to get them.”

Whether it’s this year or seasons to come, McCollum will be part of the fabric that makes up this Bucs’ defense. Following a rocky season as a rookie, McCollum looks re-energized this season and has taken steps forward little by little each day. Identifying his faults and cleaning them up quickly was just another example of his progress.