Jacob Parrish’s rookie season produced 76 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks, however the second-year Bucs cornerback isn’t happy.
Getting into 2026, Parrish believes the performs he didn’t make could also be simply as vital as those he did. After enjoying primarily within the slot because the nickelback throughout his rookie yr, he’s anticipated to kick exterior. That’s the place he was capable of make the most of his ability set and make a reputation for himself at Kansas State.
Now, Parrish has the identical purpose in thoughts for the Bucs this season.
Jacob Parrish Self Scouts His Rookie Season: “I Left Some Plays On The Field”
Whereas flashing robust instincts and spectacular physicality for a 5-foot-10, 198-pound cornerback, Tampa Bay’s 2025 third-round decide nonetheless believes he left an excessive amount of on the sector throughout his rookie season.
Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“I feel like I left some plays on the field that I feel like I’m capable of making, especially just defending the pass,” Jacob Parrish mentioned lately throughout a particular visitor look on the Pewter Report Podcast. “I feel like I was in a good position at times, but I wasn’t able to make a good play on the ball. I know what I’m capable of doing; I know I’ll get that job done this next year. Even tackling, I feel like there were a few games I had some bad games and didn’t tackle at my best, so that’s something I’ve been focusing on too this offseason.”
Tampa Bay’s secondary endured its share of breakdowns, and Parrish is utilizing the staff’s collective under-performance as a chip on his shoulder to take the following step.
With Tampa Bay drafting Keionte Scott within the fourth spherical, Parrish is about to be the following graduate of the nickel place, following within the footsteps of Christian Izien and Tykee Smith. With Scott within the slot, he can transfer again to his extra pure place on the skin. Talking about transferring inside, Parrish was open about how difficult it was.
Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It was pretty difficult, to be honest,” Parrish mentioned. “That’s a whole different ball game playing corner, you’re on an island. I was still young, trying to learn the playbook. I didn’t know it fully as a corner, I knew the ins and outs as a nickel, but I wasn’t as confident as I am now as a corner. I would say it was a pretty difficult transition.”
His consolation stage at cornerback offers optimism that Parrish can hit the bottom operating in Yr 2. All through the staff’s OTAs this offseason, he was featured at each the nickelback and cornerback positions throughout apply. In the case of the place he sees himself full-time, he’s bracing for use wherever.
As issues stand getting into coaching camp, Zyon McCollum seems locked into one beginning spot whereas 2025 second-round decide Benjamin Morrison and Parrish are anticipated to compete for snaps reverse him.
With Morrison within the combine, and Scott with the ability to kick exterior and deal with spot security obligation, it leaves Parrish able to roam round somewhat bit. That’s very true, on condition that head coach Todd Bowles extremely values versatility from his defensive backs.
“Shoot, to be honest, I really don’t know,” Parrish mentioned about the place he expects to line up probably the most. “We have a bunch of different pieces we can just move around so that’s what’s good about our secondary. We have a bunch of different people who can play nickel, safety, and corner so I feel like Todd Bowles has something he can cook with just moving us all around, so it’s going to be a fun year.”
Jacob Parrish Desires To Be One Of The Greatest Defenders — In The NFL
Jacob Parrish may not be assured about the place he’ll line up most on the Bucs’ protection this season, however he’s extraordinarily assured that wherever he’s, his impression can be felt.
“I’m really just trying to make a name for myself across the whole league,” Parrish mentioned. “I can be one of the top defenders.”
Even with that non-public purpose in thoughts, Parrish additionally needs to see the staff attain the playoffs after not successful the NFC South in 2025.
Bucs S Tykee Smith and CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“As a team, the first thing we have to focus on is trying to get back in the playoffs,” Parrish added. “That’s something I’m really worried about. I’m more team-oriented than self and individual goals. My main focus is on the team.”
There’s a lot to love about what Parrish can present to the secondary. With a full yr of expertise beneath his belt, that additionally means understanding the nuances of route recognition and the technical facets of dissecting opposing offenses and quarterbacks. Between the information Parrish has gained from being a movie room junkie and his inside perception, he believes it should translate into turning into a playmaker.
“You have to have that confidence, you know?” Parrish mentioned. “Once I step on the field, I feel like I’m the best player on the field and I’m always that person, every single day. Me making plays on the ball comes down to me and my film study. In the NFL, they repeat a lot of patterns and routes and stuff, so if you watch a lot of film, you get a hold on that.”
Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The secondary isn’t the one space the Bucs are hoping for defensive enchancment from. The line of defense and out of doors linebacker rooms have been bolstered with younger expertise and angle, to not point out the within linebacker room including veteran stability and a promising rookie. When the names of A’Shawn Robinson, Rueben Bain Jr., David Walker, and a wholesome Calijah Kancey had been introduced up, Parrish gushed concerning the risk that awaits.
“They’re going to get to that quarterback so, me knowing that, sitting on routes more,” Parrish mentioned. “Trying to anticipate routes, that’s going to lead to more interceptions, so I’m excited for them guys up front. They’re some dawgs.”
If Jacob Parrish’s confidence interprets into the playmaking manufacturing he expects, the Bucs could have discovered one other long-term cornerstone of their younger secondary.
Watch Bucs CB Jacob Parrish On The Pewter Report Podcast
Bucs cornerback Jacob Parrish joined the Pewter Report Podcast earlier this month and offered loads of perception throughout a 35-minute look. When you haven’t but, be sure you take a look at all the pieces he needed to say by clicking on this hyperlink or by watching it under:
