Buccaneers’ Yaya Diaby Looking to Turn Up the Heat

Another sweltering day at Buccaneers’ Training Camp is in the books. And while the air temperature may be hot, one Bucs’ defender isn’t letting it slow him down.

Despite the heat, outside linebacker Yaya Diaby remains dedicated to his craft. The 26-year-old phenom burst onto the scene two seasons ago with an impressive rookie campaign, notching 7.5 sacks. However, he faced a slight sophomore slump last season, managing 4.5 sacks.

While Diaby’s sack totals dipped last season, head coach Todd Bowles has been encouraged by his progress this summer, particularly noting an improvement in his snap explosion.

“He’s been professional dating back to the spring. Everything he’s done has been with intention.” Bowles stated. “I like the way he’s getting off the ball right now – he’s really using his hands a lot more and a lot better. If he keeps that up, he should have a hell of a year.”

Coach Bowles isn’t alone in noticing Diaby’s improvement; the players he’s facing in practice are also taking notice.

“Calijah [Kancey] has been a stud, obviously you guys know Vita [Vea] very well, he is obviously a stud. I think Calijah just from last year to this year has been very effective. It has been awesome to watch him grow. I think Haason Reddick has been awesome, he is super twitchy and explosive off the edge. Yaya [Diaby] has continued to improve, Yaya looks great. All of our guys out there have improved, and they are working hard. We are getting after it out there, and we are just trying to make each other better.”

The Buccaneers’ defensive front could see significant improvement with the veteran leadership of Haason Reddick, who has recorded double-digit sacks in four of the last five seasons. Yaya Diaby has been soaking up Reddick’s expertise, crediting the seasoned pass rusher with helping him refine his skills. With Reddick’s guidance, Diaby may further enhance his pass-rushing abilities, potentially taking his game to the next level.

Diaby’s dedication to improvement is evident at Buccaneers camp, where he’s impressing Coach Todd Bowles and others with his standout performances. This buzz surrounding Diaby’s progress certainly bodes well for Tampa Bay’s upcoming season.