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The Bucs Have Found Something In These ILBs

Originally posted on PewterReport.com | By Adam Slivon | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 9:46 AM ET

Don’t look now, but the Bucs appear to have some quality depth at inside linebacker heading into the regular season.

While that last sentence may come as a surprise, it is something head coach Todd Bowles has believed since his appearance on the Pewter Report Podcast back in early June.

“Defensively right now, I like the depth of where the inside [linebackers] are right now,” Bowles said then when asked about where the team has the best defensive depth. “We’ve got a lot of competition at cornerback.”

The cornerback room from top to bottom has looked great, save for the play of cornerback Jamel Dean against the Steelers. Dean has looked much better in practice and remains a veteran starter in the room. Zyon McCollum, Kindle Vildor, Roman Parodie, and Tyrek Funderburk each have interceptions across the first two preseason games, and it is a position with plenty of talented players worthy of making the 53-man roster.

When it comes to inside linebacker, much of the same can be said as some unheralded players have put themselves on the map.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles: “The Young Guys Are Getting A Great Opportunity Right Now”

If it was not for the young inside linebackers fighting to make the Bucs’ roster, one can argue that the team might not have won last Saturday night. Granted, it is just preseason football, but do not tell that to guys like Nick Jackson, John Bullock, and Antonio Grier Jr.

To them, it is now-or-never to make football their career.

Jackson, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, was already coming off a stellar performance to begin the preseason, leading the team with six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a one-handed interception. While that has quickly earned him the “Action Jackson” nickname, he is not the only linebacker making his name known.

Bullock had four tackles and a sack of his own in Pittsburgh, and Grier’s 32-yard interception put Tampa Bay in range to make a game-winning field goal.

Suddenly, the cupboard behind Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis does not look so bare. Veterans Deion Jones and Anthony Walker Jr. remain in the fold, too. With Walker not practicing throughout training camp after being on the active/non-football injury list, it has allowed other players to step up. Still, Todd Bowles wants to see how he fits into the picture.

“We want him healthy as quickly as possible because we believe he can help us, but the young guys are getting a great opportunity right now,” Bowles said. “Defense isn’t the only thing – they have to play well on special teams, too. You have to be multiple to make this team on the back end. Watching the special teams tape will be important.”

The ability to play on special teams is what kept J.J. Russell around for a couple of seasons as he was like a quality AAA-level baseball player. Russell performed well himself in the preseason and was a serviceable NFL player when needed.

This year, the Bucs are looking for a little bit more than that, and that is where it gets interesting at inside linebacker. It is not the smartest team-building strategy to expect high-level play all year from a 35-year-old David, two 30-year-olds in Jones and Walker, and an oft-injured Dennis. Understandably, there is doubt about how each of them holds up throughout a 17-game season. With that being said, there is plenty of promise waiting in the wings.

Final roster cuts will be interesting, and general manager Jason Licht’s hand might be forced into keeping five inside linebackers and sneaking two more onto the practice squad. Based on his body of work, Nick Jackson appears to be fifth on the depth chart, while John Bullock and Antonio Grier Jr. are quality practice squad options at the very least.

One thing is clear though, and that is the Bucs have found something in these young inside linebackers. They might not make an impact right away, but they could prove to be vital pieces as the year goes on.