Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis III Reunite Once Again

“It’s a great feeling (playing with Davis again)  because me and Carlton have been following each other since high school,” Dean said during his press conference on Thursday. “It was crazy, in the All-American game in California, he was actually my roommate. And then we went our separate ways in college. I went to Ohio State, he was committed to Ohio State, too. I just early enrolled. Things didn’t work out there, we both end up at Auburn together. He left early to go to the draft. I tried to get him to stay another year but he wouldn’t do it.

“Once he got to the Bucs obviously I was excited for him, then next year I get a phone call from Jason, and I was like ‘What? I’m really back with Carlton again?’ We just can’t get away from each other, can we? I just feel like, me and him, we have that great bond. We know how to work together with each other. It’s going to be exciting.”

Jamel Dean’s Decision Helped By Talking With Carlton Davis III

The two corners have played together for four years since Jamel Dean joined the Bucs in 2019 as a third-round pick after Davis had already played in Tampa Bay for a season. They’ve helped piece together one of top-tiered defenses in football. The Bucs also know that they’ll have this group together for at least two more seasons when Davis’ contract is up in 2024.

Playing together was important for both teammates. While Carlton Davis III may not have exactly put the pressure on the Bucs to get a deal completed with Dean, his conversation to him may have helped Dean sway his interest back to the Bucs as he looked around at other teams.

“Carlton called me and was like, ‘They really want you,'” Davis said. “And I was like, ‘Okay.’ They really leaned towards my favorite now.”

Along with re-signing Lavonte David and Anthony Nelson, the Bucs have brought back a core group of players on the defensive side. They were the reason that Tampa Bay was in so many games last season and it looks like the defense has a chance to be the strength of the team again this season with their return.