TAMPA — In a hotel room at the NFL scouting complex in Indianapolis last March, Tykee Smith was asked to watch film of his games at the University of Georgia and describe the coverage concepts the Bulldogs were running.
Many young college athletes may have trouble locating their car keys or forgetting to charge their phone. But Smith’s total recall was an easy pull from his memory bank.
“It was quite apparent in the agreed meeting, as you can see, we have the information and I have been part of a lot of it now, you can tell when they are lying to you or trying to lie to them. Cover 2 or Cover 3,” Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek said. “You’re like, ‘I don’t want to talk about Cover 2.’
“A lot of times guys look at this and have no idea. They can’t remember it. Then there are some guys who remember the play. It could be Game 60 in the middle of the SEC Championship and it’s like third and 2 and there’s no reason for them to remember that and not even do anything. But his memory was spectacular.”
Training camp is just two weeks away and the Bucs have resolved their battle for the nickel cornerback position.
Officially, there is competition between Smith, current quarterback Christian Izien and Texans free agent Tavierre Thomas. Realistically, it’s over.
Not only is Smith’s football IQ extraordinary, but his knowledge of the game has allowed him to perform as a player well beyond his years.
“When I got to college, I learned to watch film,” said Smith, who transferred from West Virginia to Georgia, where he won two national championships. “I think I was pretty good at that at West Virginia. But when I got to Georgia, it went to another level, learning from Coach (Kirby) Smart and Coach (Will) Muschamp. … The system they run is very similar to what they run here. I think that helped me be prepared for it.”
Smith finished his final season at Georgia with 70 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks.
At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Smith wasn’t the tallest or strongest safety in the draft, which is probably why he lasted until the end of the third round. Teams also didn’t believe Smith was as fast as he proved to be.
“We would like them to be taller if we can. But he’s a 4.46 (in the 40-yard dash) and we train a lot because during the season, if someone breaks a nail,” Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone said. “So he will – come in as a safety and a nickel. … He’s used to winning. Is important.”
At 23, Smith also appears more mature than he actually is. Having already established himself as a very good player at West Virginia, he wanted to challenge himself against the best in the SEC and Georgia.
“It’s good to see him do it at a high level,” Spytek said. “West Virginia has good football, but it’s not Georgia. He goes and starts in the SEC and had four picks last year. He comes off the edge and all the things we like to see our nickels (cornerbacks) do. Our pennies are asked to do different things. Everyone knows we like to pressure, blitz, and if that guy can’t get to the quarterback, they’re going to have a hard time thinking he’s going to do the job. You see him doing all this in Georgia and that makes it easier to project.”
When Rapone looks at Smith, he sees the Bucs’ future and much of their NFL past. When asked who he models his game after, Smith named three names of some players Rapone is familiar with.
“When I came out, I really liked (Antoine Winfield Jr.), Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker… not the bigger guys, but playing with the bigger guys. I think they do a great job preparing and preparing on Sundays and for games,” Smith said. “And coach Rapone had the chance to coach all three of them. That’s another blessing, having the chance to learn from him.”
Safety Jordan Whitehead, who returned to the Bucs as a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Jets, was quick to point to Smith when asked which young defenders were impressing during training camp. He is the defensive equivalent of receiver Jalen McMillan.
“Defensively, Tykee Smith,” Whitehead said. “A lot of corners are going (well) out there. There are a lot of guys. But mostly Tykee coming in – playing nickel (cornerback), safety. … Just being with him and seeing him, he definitely learned a lot. When I came in, he was definitely ahead of me from my freshman year.”
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