Making big plays during training camp and the preseason is essential if you're a long-shot trying to make an NFL roster - and that's exactly what Tampa Bay Buccaneers UDFA rookies Nick Jackson and John Bullock did against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.
Both guys are fighting to earn a job in a crowded inside linebacker room - one that Todd Bowles once dubbed as the deepest position group on defense. When considering their competition in Lavonte David, SirVocea Dennis, Anthony Walker (when healthy), and Deion Jones, it's easy to see why every rep matters for those two.
Well, they made the most of their opportunity during the third quarter of the Bucs' first preseason game. Bullock was able to tip a pass at the line of scrimmage and Jackson followed up by finishing the play with an incredible one-handed interception.
Bucs LB Nick Jackson with an awesome INT off Titans QB Brandon Allen pic.twitter.com/mq42sNbopY
— Evan Winter (@evan_AtoZ) August 10, 2025
“Both ‘Nebraska’ (Bullock) and ‘Iowa’ (Jackson) are very smart football players – they picked the scheme up very well," Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on the last day of July. "It’s hard to keep saying they’re rookies when they do everything [normally]. It’s almost rare when they make a mistake. Both of those guys have very strong chances and had a very strong showing. It’ll be great to see them in the preseason games.”
Walker is currently on the NFI list and has been labeled as week-to-week, so it's unclear when he'll actually return. Therefore, the door is cracked open for Bullock and Jackson to make the roster if the veteran linebacker doesn't get healthy by the time final roster cuts roll around.
Especially Jackson, who led the team in tackles (6) and tackles for loss (2) and also tied for the team lead in interceptions (1) and QB hits (1).
["He's been a] football player from the time he came in here," Bowles told reporters after the game. "He was somebody we want to see. . . we were paying close attention to him. He just knows how to play the game. He's very instinctive. He can read things. He's physical when he needs to be physical, and he knows how to cover. So he did a very good job tonight."
When it comes to their outlook, that kind of chance is all they need and so far, they're taking advantage of the opportunity.
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