TAMPA — In a hotel room at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last March, Tykee Smith was asked to watch film from his games at the University of Georgia and describe the coverage concepts the Bulldogs were running.
Many young college athletes may have trouble locating their car keys or forget to charge their phone. But Smith’s total recall was an easy withdrawal from his memory bank.
“It was pretty apparent at the combine meeting, like you can see, we have the information and I’ve sat in so many of those now, you can tell when they’re lying to you or trying to B.S. they’re way through Cover 2 or Cover 3,” said John Spytek, the Bucs assistant general manager. “You’re like, ‘I don’t want to talk about Cover 2.’
“There’s a lot of times, guys will look at that and have no idea. They can’t remember it. Then there’s some guys that remember the play. It could be Play 60 in the middle of the SEC Championship and it’s like third and 2 and there’s no reason for them to remember it and they don’t even do anything. But his memory was spectacular.”
It is only two weeks into training camp and the Bucs have solved their position battle at the nickel cornerback position.
Officially, there is a competition brewing between Smith, incumbent defensive back Christian Izien and Texans free agent Tavierre Thomas. Realistically, it’s over.
Not only is Smith’s football IQ off the charts, but his knowledge of the game has enabled him to perform like a player well beyond his years.
“When I got college, I kind of learned how to watch film,” said Smith, who transferred from West Virginia to Georgia, where he won two national championships. “I think I was real good at it at West Virginia. But once I got to Georgia, that went to another level, getting to learn from coach (Kirby) Smart and Coach (Will) Muschamp. … The system they ran is very similar to what they run here. I think that kind of helped me being prepared for that.”
Smith finished his last season at Georgia with 70 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks.
At 5-foot-10, 202 pounds, Smith wasn’t the tallest or strongest safety in the draft, which is probably why he lasted until late in the third round. Teams also didn’t believe Smith was as fast as his proved to be.
“We’d like them taller if we can. But he’s 4.46 (in the 40-yard dash) and we cross train so much because during the season, if somebody breaks a fingernail,” Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone said. “So he will — come in as a safety and a nickel. … He’s used to winning. It’s important.”
At 23, Smith also seems more mature than his years. Having already established himself as a very good player at West Virginia, he wanted to challenge himself against the best in the SEC and at Georgia.
“It’s good to see him do it at a high level,” Spytek said. “West Virginia has good football, but it’s not Georgia. He goes and starts in the SEC and has four picks last year. He comes off the edge and all the things we like to see our nickel (cornerbacks) do. Our nickels are asked to do different things. Everybody knows we like to pressure, blitz, and if that guy can’t get to the quarterback, they’re going to have a hard time thinking he’s going to do the job. You see him do all that at Georgia and it just makes for an easier projection.”
When Rapone looks at Smith, he sees the Bucs’ future and a lot of his past in the NFL. When asked who he models his game after, Smith rattled off three names of some players that Rapone is all too familiar with.
“Coming out I really liked (Antoine Winfield Jr.), Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker … not the biggest guys but play the biggest. I think they do a real good job with their preparation and being ready on Sundays and for games,” Smith said. “And Coach Rapone has had a chance to coach all three of them. That’s another blessing, getting a chance to learn from him.”
Safety Jordan Whitehead, who returned to the Bucs as a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Jets, was quick to point to Smith when asked which young defensive backs were impressing during training camp. He’s the defensive equivalent to receiver Jalen McMillan.
“Defensive-wise, Tykee Smith,” Whitehead said. “A lot of the corners are doing (well) out there. There’s a lot of guys. But, mainly, Tykee coming in — playing nickel (cornerback), safety. … Just being with him and seeing him, he’s definitely learned a lot. When I came in, he’s definitely ahead of me from my first year.”
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Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.
