The Buccaneers traded up in the seventh round of the NFL Draft and selected defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu from the University of Southern California.
Giving up their 2018 seventh round pick along with their 2017 to get him, the Buccaneers added some size to their defensive front.
#Bucs close out their 2017 #NFLDraft class w/USC DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu. Stellar value again.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) April 29, 2017
If Bucs fans should love anything about him, it’s his passion to succeed.
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Tu’ikolovatu is a soon to be 26-year old who started his collegiate career at Utah where he played 15 games for the Utes before transferring to USC for the 2016 season.
According to NFL.com’s draft profile of the 6’1” lineman, he possesses good hands and a solid punch while utilizing a low base to win early.
He looks suited to help plug up the front in short-yard or goaline situations, and was given a fourth or fifth round grade by Lance Zierlein.
It’s likely Tu’ikolovatu will find his way to the practice squad early in his career, but if his drive to succeed translates to learning in the NFL, then he should develop into a solid member of the defensive front as a depth piece.
Behind Gerald McCoy and Chris Baker, the Bucs have just Siliga Sealver and the aging Clinton McDonald currently on roster.
The team needed more talent, and they moved up to get a guy they must believe in as someone who will have staying power with the Buccaneers.
Licht just keep bringing the value in this draft. Great to have him on our side.