Todd Bowles Names Most Improved Buccaneers' Defensive Player for 2023 Season

Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles names second-year cornerback as team's most improved defensive player in 2023.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted CB Zyon McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Sam Houston State with the upside that the lengthy corner possessed along with his natural athleticism with the hopes of developing him into a formidable NFL cornerback.

McCollum saw minimal snaps during his rookie season but was able to triple his snap count this season as the Buccaneers and Todd Bowles utilized his versatility. 

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Following the Bucs season-ending loss in the Divisional Round to the Detroit Lions Bowles spoke on who he thought was the most improved player on the defensive side of the ball naming the improvement of DL Logan Hall, but ultimately deciding to go with Zyon.

"I don't know if anybody surprised me. Most improved…before Mike Greene got hurt, he was playing good football. I thought Logan Hall came a good, long way. Zyon McCollum would probably win that – as far as most improved from last year to this year – the versatility he showed, the toughness he showed. As mild-mannered as he is off the field, he plays like a rocket when he's on the field. I really loved what he did this year."

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McCollum is definitely a worthy choice for most improved - filling in for the Bucs' defense wherever he was needed. He finished the season with 68 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 9 passes defended. McCollum will look to build off his second-year development to further improve his game in the hopes of making more plays for Tampa Bay in 2024.

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