Zyon McCollum's breakout game is good news for the Bucs

It took Zyon McCollum a few years to earn his shot and one game to prove Todd Bowles right for giving it to him.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had reason to worry about the secondary after last week's win, McCollum included. The third-year cornerback out of Sam Houston State was placed in the concussion protocol and cleared just one day before Week 2's game in Detroit. His teammates, Bryce Hall, Josh Hayes, and Antoine Winfield Jr., were not so lucky.

Without its usual firepower, the Bucs defense still held up against the Lions thanks in large part to the performance of McCollum.

He wasted no time in earning his stripes on Sunday. On first and ten at the Detroit Lions 30-yard line, Jared Goff dropped back to pass for their first offensive play of the game. He looked right, trying to get the ball to third-year wideout Jameson Williams. The ball was way ahead of Williams' stride, allowing McCollum to come up with the interception, his first career takeaway.

It wasn't the only play McCollum made on the day. He'd go on to have the game of his young career thus far, a good sign for the Bucs' young cornerback with an increased role in his third year.

Zyon McCollum shines in career day against Lions

The Bucs traded former starting cornerback Carlton Davis to the Lions this past offseason, paving the path for McCollum to slide into a starting role in 2024.

Entering the year, McCollum only had nine starts under his belt, with the coaching staff believing that he could turn into a capable starter on the outside despite the lack of experience. He ended the 2023 season as their full time starter, totaling 68 tackles, nine passes defended, and allowing a 59.8 completion percentage when targeted.

McCollum left the Bucs' Week 1 victory against the Commanders early due to a concussion, but it didn't take long for him to get going the following Sunday. Against the Lions, McCollum grabbed an interception on the Lions' first offensive play and ended his day with four passes defended, six tackles, plus that critical interception.

He was able to help the Bucs' defense hold late in the fourth quarter, preventing a Lions comeback win. McCollum broke up a pass intended for Williams with six seconds to go in the game. It was a heck of a performance, especially given the short practice time he had leading up to the game.

In addition, McCollum allowed just one reception on five targets for four yards against the Lions, according to NextGen Stats. It was definitely a breakout performance for the former fifth round pick, a good sign for what's potentially to come as the Bucs transition out of the first month of the season in a few weeks.

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