Buccaneers linebacker gets rewarded with honor he deserves

Devin White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. No doubt it’s an honor that the Buccaneers linebacker more than deserves.

The NFL announced their players of the month for each conference for offense, defense, and special teams. One Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was given one of these honors, and it was something that was undoubtedly deserved for the young Buccaneers stud.

The career of Devin White has honestly been fascinating. When the Bucs made him the fifth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, he came out of the gates firing. In 2020, he only improved, being named second-team All-Pro, and was arguably the best player on the field during Super Bowl LV.

Then came 2021. White had something of an “up and down” season, especially in coverage a year ago. Of course, that’s what many fans were under the impression of if the internet is any indication anyway. That said, it still resulted in his first Pro Bowl nod, for whatever that’s worth. The point is, White came into 2022 with something to prove, and boy is he proving it.

So far in 2022/September, White has recorded 24 tackles, three sacks (the only player in football with both), two passes defended, and a forced fumble as the cherry on top. He’s been the best player on the best defense, a unit that is leading the league by giving up an average of nine points per game, which is certified lunacy in today’s NFL.

White has become the fifth Buccaneers linebacker to win NFC Defensive Player of the Month, with Shaq Barrett winning it in September 2019, Derrick Brooks in November 2000 and October 2002, Lavonte David in September 2020, and last but not least Barrett Ruud in September 2007. That’s quite the company to be in.

Devin White has earned and deserved this honor, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are lucky to have him roaming the middle of their great defense. Here’s to finding out just how much more he can improve as a player in the coming months and years.