Appearing on his WFLA program, The Rondè Barber Show, legendary Buccaneers cornerback Rondè Barber had some hefty praise for Jacob Parrish, the team’s third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“In college he played outside, transitioned to inside. Very Rondè Barber-like, if you will,” said Barber. “He’s atypical of every other Bucs corner on the roster, which I love.”
What makes Parrish so atypical to the other Buccaneers cornerbacks is his size—as Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, and Benjamin Morrison all measure in at over six-feet-tall while Parrish is 5-foot-10.
Barber made a name for himself in Tampa Bay as cornerback who was smaller than the prototype, playing at about 5-foot-10 and under 200 pounds. When evaluating the similarly-framed Parrish, Barber couldn’t help but see shades of himself in the newest Buccaneer.
“Jacob is the Rondè of this draft class, if we can say that. But he has something that I desperately did not have, which is 4.35 speed. He’s the fastest DB in the draft this year, yet he was very productive.”
Parrish’s elite speed and college production played a big part in why the Buccaneers invested a Day 2 pick on him in April’s draft. He recorded five interceptions for Kansas State over the last two seasons, and the hope is that his keen ability to force turnovers will carry over to Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers defense recorded a lousy seven interceptions during the 2024 season, and it is a stat the team desperately needs to improve upon if the defensive unit is to reach its full potential.
Parrish has wasted no time making a big impression in Tampa Bay, coming away with a pick-six on the first day of rookie minicamp back in May. And it’s not just Barber who has been impressed by Parrish; head coach Todd Bowles also praised Parrish’s play and versatility during rookie minicamp.
“He can play outside corner. We’ve got him learning nickel, but I’m very comfortable with him outside,” head coach Todd Bowles said in his post-rookie minicamp press conference. “He can start at corner in this league, probably for anybody. And he can play inside as well, so that’s the beauty of him. He’s not just a nickel, I think he’s an outside corner first and then a nickel second. So the fact he plays inside is just a bonus for us.”
It’s still early, but Parrish is impressing everyone in the organization from teammates, Hall of Famers, all the way up to the head coach. The more time passes, the more it feels like the Buccaneers hit the lottery landing Parrish in the third round.
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