Bucs UDFA Steals Spotlight During Historic Preseason Opener

The preseason is a time for first impressions and second chances. Some veterans are clinging to roster spots, while rookies and undrafted free agents (UDFAs) are looking to prove that they deserve to make the 53-man roster. Bucs UDFA linebacker Nick Jackson made quite the first impression during Tampa Bay’s 29-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.

Jackson Earned ‘Star of the Game’ From Buccaneers Writer

While Jackson spent six seasons in college football, the Bucs UDFA recorded just one interception across 73 career games. But, late in the third quarter of Saturday’s preseason opener, he pulled down his first NFL pick.

After a fellow Bucs UDFA linebacker, John Bullock, tipped quarterback Brandon Allen‘s pass, Jackson secured an impressive one-handed grab while falling backwards. Earlier in the third quarter, Jackson got a good jump on a blitz up the middle and slung down Allen for a sack and an eight-yard loss.

Overall, Jackson recorded a team-high six tackles (two tackles for loss), one sack, one quarterback hit and an interception during his debut.

Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix took note of Jackson’s performance, naming the Bucs UDFA as the “Star of the Game.”

“He became the first Buccaneer player since 2017 to record a sack and an interception in the same preseason game,” wrote Dix. Dix later called Jackson “a disruptive force on the field” who “took over the game.”

She also noted that head coach Todd Bowles shared some praise for Jackson following the game. Bowles didn’t seem too surprised by Jackson’s impressive performance.

“A football player from the time he came in here,” said Bowles. “He was somebody we wanted to see, we wanted to watch. We were playing close attention to him. He just knows how to play the game.”

Other Bucs UDFAs Made Big Impacts, Especially on Defense

Jackson may have been the most impactful Bucs UDFA during Saturday’s victory. But, he wasn’t the only one to make an impact.

On Sunday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times highlighted three Bucs UDFA defenders as players who stood out during the game. Stroud led by highlighting Jackson’s performance, noting that Anthony Walker Jr.‘s injury has opened up more opportunities for the UDFA to showcase his skillset.

“The Bucs struggled last season at inside linebacker after SirVocea Dennis was lost for the season after a Week 4 shoulder injury,” Stroud wrote. “In the offseason, Tampa Bay signed veteran linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones. But Walker has been held out of training camp with a lower leg injury, giving players such as Jackson and Bullock more looks.”

Lavonte David led the way yet again for the Bucs linebacking corps in 2024, but Tampa Bay will need another player to step up and remain healthy this season. Rookie SirVocea Dennis only managed to play 104 snaps before landing on IR for the rest of the season in October.

But, Dennis is reportedly close to returning to practice. So, there will be an even higher level of competition for a spot in the linebacker rotation, especially among the Bucs UDFAs.

Stroud also highlighted the impact of cornerback Roman Parodie and safety Shilo Sanders.

Parodie made the headline-grabbing play, as he intercepted an errant pass from Titans quarterback Tim Boyle and returned it 39 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. Stroud called it “the kind of game you dream about” as an undrafted free agent.

As for Sanders, Stroud wrote that the Bucs UDFA safety “navigated through” his nerves and “looked comfortable in his first NFL game.”

Bowles told reporters that Sanders “did a heck of a job” during his debut.