3 Buccaneers rookies who turned heads at minicamp
By Brad Smith
CB/S Tyrek Funderburk
While rookies like McMillan who were drafted are often highlighted as instant impact players during offseason workouts, other undrafted rookies may have just as key of an impact. In Tampa Bay, that player is Tyrek Funderburk, who has quickly turned heads in OTA's and offseason practices.
“[Tyrek] Funderburk comes up,” Bowles said. “He’s a guy that flashed. Everybody else we’re going to have to see."
Funderburk, a former three-star recruit, played an integral role for App State last season in making the 2023 Sun Belt Championship. In 14 starts, Funderburk recorded 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups, and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Coupled with tying for the conference lead for interceptions, Funderburk earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors and a Second-Team All-American nod from the Action Network. Before starting in the Mountaineer's secondary, Funderburk played at Richmond for five seasons from 2018-2022, totaling 77 tackles and seven interceptions in 41 games (22 starts).
This offseason, the Bucs' secondary saw plenty of change, with the departure of Davis III, the return of Jordan Whitehead, and the additions of Tykee Smith, Bryce Hall, and Tavierre Thomas. Even so, the emergence of Funderburk is worth watching as training camp and OTA's continue to lead up to the roster cut deadlines, starting in August.