The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 14th pick in April’s NFL draft after a 7-9 finish in 2019. Last year, the Bucs selected in the fifth spot, using the pick to take star linebacker Devin White out of LSU.
White was considered by many to be the best linebacker in his class, and several analysts pegged White to be the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. White’s rookie year got off to a rough start, however, as he battled tonsillitis in the week leading up to the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers, and then suffered a knee sprain in Week 2 that sidelined him for three games.
But White came on strong in the second half of the season, winning defensive rookie of the month in November and December and capping off his season with a 91-yard fumble return touchdown in Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. It was White’s second fumble recovery touchdown of the season and the longest in franchise history.
White is the cornerstone of this young Bucs defense, and the team is hopeful he’ll be their leader on and off the field for years to come. For now, though, take a look back at that fateful moment on draft night in 2019.
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