The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the underdog role in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. In front of a crowd of 67,202, the Buccaneers found a way to win after a rough start. While the Bucs got contributions from throughout the roster, Rutgers football product Christian Izien shined.
In his first NFL game, Izien recorded one interception and three total tackles. He did not make life for Kirk Cousins easy while helping the Buccaneers’ secondary keep the Vikings offense in check. His best moment came in the second quarter when Minnesota was in the red zone.
With the Vikings on the verge of taking a 17-10 lead, Izien ripped the ball out of K.J. Osborn’s hands on the goal line. It was the only interception that Cousins threw, but it gave Tampa Bay much-needed momentum. Just as he did at Rutgers, Izien came through for his team during a clutch moment.
Christian Izien, Far Rockaway native and Rutgers alum, gets an interception in his first game as a rookie. đ
— Greater Long Island đ° (@Greater_LI) September 10, 2023
He also made history as Izien became the first undrafted Bucs rookie to intercept a pass in a Week 1 NFL debut since Cecil Johnson in 1977.
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As the season continues, the New York native will be a player to watch. He was signed by the Bucs as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft but earned a starting role due to his talent and hard work. While the NFL season is less than a week old, Izien has wasted no time making his presence felt.