VICE PRESIDENT OF PLAYER PERSONNEL MIKE BIEHL

(On second-round pick LB Josiah Trotter and only playing two seasons of college football)

"I'll say we drafted three 21-year olds, so it's been a rare instance recently with the COVID stuff. I think Josiah, he's just been groomed to play football his whole life growing up with his dad (Jeremiah Trotter Sr.) and his brother (Jeremiah Trotter Jr.) getting drafted a few years ago. He had made a well-informed decision is what I would say. He thought he was ready to come out and we spent a lot of time with him through his process. His play on the field dictated that too I think."

(On Trotter's previous relationships with some Buccaneers coaches)

"I think all that stuff helps, right, just to try to get to know the player. Mike [Caldwell] has a relationship with him, [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] has a relationship with his dad too. Again, we spent a lot of time with him too and just came away feeling really comfortable. I think all that matters. [We are] just, again, trying to find out everything we can about these kids and that played a part in it."

(On needing to bolster the pass coverage in the middle of the field and Trotter's stronger ability being in run defense)

"I would say that's fair, but I also think that he can play in coverage. I think that's a little bit of a misnomer. I don't know if it's the narrative the media is putting out, but he's actually pretty good at it. That being said, he's an old school, downhill MIKE [linebacker] that can play the run which is hard to find nowadays. With the college game the way it has went, it's all lateral and everybody is looking for the speed stuff. To us, he has enough speed to play in our league. Now, if you said he's a better run defender than a pass defender, I would say yeah, that's probably fair, but we think he has the capability to be a three-down linebacker."

(On Trotter's blitzing ability)

"I would say that's a big part of his game too. He understands how to rush the passer and he can go through running backs' faces if he chooses to or he can make them miss. That's going to be a plus for [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] on third downs. You guys have seen the way that he uses our inside linebackers when Devin [White] was here and I would anticipate Josiah having a lot of production in that phase."

(On Trotter only having two years of college experience and if there's an expectation for him to grow in his coverage skills)

"100%. All these guys are, like I said when I started, we drafted three 21-year olds and we think the upside with all of them is huge. I would say he also has played the game for a long time and, again, has been kind of groomed from a young age, so he's pretty far-advanced I would say in that area."

(On if they were comfortable with Trotter's injury history)

"I would say anytime we get asked a question like that, the answer is always going to be, 'Yes, we're comfortable with it,' otherwise we wouldn't even mess around with it. Our doctors and athletic trainers, they do a heck of a job and they spend tons of time on all these guys. If we select somebody, we're certainly comfortable with it."

(On Trotter's leadership potential)

"I'm never going to compare anybody to Lavonte David, first of all, but he has those qualities, though, as far as the potential to have an impact on our defense and in the locker room as a whole. He just gets the game too, so all the resources that we talked to spoke very highly of him on not only his ability to learn, but also his ability to help others learn. He would come in every week and have a cheat sheet and tips for the other players in the room and helping them out. He's well on his way to being a leader. Now, he's got to get here and get in the locker room and prove it to these veterans, but he's got a chance to be pretty good I think."

(On if WR Ted Hurst fills the role of 'X' receiver that Mike Evans left, and what they like about Hurst as a prospect)

"First of all, with Mike [Evans], we're never ever going to try and replace Mike, but you do try to replace size and speed which Mike had and we think that Ted [Hurst] has that too. Ted is a small school guy that started out at Valdosta, transferred to Georgia State, played a couple of years there. [He] had opportunities to go to bigger schools with the NIL stuff and stayed loyal to Georgia State, which is kind of refreshing a little bit in this day and age that guys choose to do that sometimes. Now, you can look at it the other way that he's not choosing to go up and play against the best competition and stuff like that, but a guy like Ted goes to the Senior Bowl and does that and then proves that he can do that as well. He's just kind of checked the boxes every step of the way, and at the same time he's still has a lot to improve on – the route-running…He's just kind of a raw player, but he's a big, fast, athletic guy that's willing to learn, and we're excited about him."

(On if Hurst's big play ability is what enticed the Buccaneers)

"I think so. Again, we're talking about bringing a guy into a crowded room to use your quote earlier. We're not expecting him to come in and just take over and have to be a big part of our offense. Now, that being said, there's nothing that says he can't if he comes in and proves himself. Whatever role he has, it's going to be on what he's ready for and how he works and proves himself, but yes, he is a big guy that's 6'4, 210 [pounds] and runs in the 4.4's. That's intriguing to us. Again, the down-field stuff, he's got really good ball skills too. Not only can he get over the top and beat guys deep, but if it is contested, he has the ability to make those catches. He's got a lot of traits that we look for at the X position, which is what Mike played, and we'll just see how it all plays out."

(On if Hurst will be used in the slot in Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson's offense)

"I have complete faith in our coaches that they're going to put him in great positions, and I wouldn't rule that out. I just think there's three, sometimes four, sometimes five wideouts on the field, and they're going to put them in spots where they're going to be able to succeed. He has a skillset to do that, it's just when you see the size and the speed, everybody thinks outside, but we've been pretty successful putting bigger guys inside as well. Chris [Godwin Jr.] can do that, Emeka [Egbuka] can do that, we've got some guys that can do it to get matchups. That's what this game is all about is matchups, and he has the ability to do a lot of different things."

(On how important it was to get an extra Day 3 pick from a trade back in the draft)

"We were joking about that. It was time for us to trade back and get an extra pick with [General Manager] Jason [Licht]. That's always interesting, especially in a draft like this where I think it probably wasn't top heavy, but I think there's a lot of depth and a lot of quality players in those mid-rounds to even the fifth round, which [is where] we picked up that pick. It's always good to get more picks. We feel like we can hit on those later rounds. Our scouting department does a heck of a job of identifying those guys so that we look at them too. We've had a pretty good hit rate around here."

(On if they were "sweating it out" after the trade back from No. 77 to No. 84 to get their guy)

"You're always going to sweat it out. That's just part of the draft because you're dealing with 31 other teams that are doing the same thing you are. At the same time, if we trade back, we know there's a chance we're going to lose him, so we're always prepared to have other guys lined up if that's the case. But yes, when our pick came up and he was still there, it was pretty exciting in the room."

(On what he saw from Hurst at the Senior Bowl)

"His ability to compete and hold up versus those guys. It wasn't too big for him which is always kind of what you look for from smaller school players if they can go there and compete. I will always use Ali Marpet as a perfect example. Ali went there coming from Hobart College and struggled the first day, but by the end of the week, he was kicking everybody's [butt]. Those small school guys, that's what they have to do. They first of all have to dominate their level of competition, if they're not doing that, then it's hard to project them in our league, but if they are, then they can go to the Senior Bowl -- any of these All-Star games, really -- and hold their own, it gives you encouragement that they'll be able to do it on our level."

(On the draft room's reaction after selecting OLB Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round)

"That's probably one of the more excited draft rooms I've been around. When you get a player of his quality where we were picking, I think that's where the excitement comes from, because a lot us didn't expect him to be there, we just assumed he was going to be long gone, but again, that's why we prepare for every scenario and we did a lot of work on Rueben [Bain Jr.] just like we do every other prospect. It's just fun to see him there, because we think we're getting one of the better pass rushers in this draft, and he brings a lot of attitude and effort and just some nastiness that we've kind of been lacking a little bit, I think, on defense. I would say that Josiah has that stuff too, just when I was talking about the run stuffer, downhill type player. It's exciting to add those two young guys to our defense."

(On being able to draft two positions of need that stack up with the best player available in the draft with their first two picks)

"I think that's what you always go into the draft hoping, that the needs match up with the best player. I think that's kind of what happened in this draft. I don't think that [General Manager] Jason [Licht] -- we never force things, and again, I don't think we did this year either. I just think that just happened to be the best player was there and it's two positions that I would agree, we probably need to upgrade a little bit. It's pretty exciting -- we'll see, it's too early to call them starters, but if you're drafting them in the first and second round, you're expecting them to come in and compete for that role, so we'll see how it all plays out. But yeah, it's pretty exciting."

(On what sold the Buccaneers on Bain Jr.)

"He's different just because of the body type. He's a shorter, thicker guy, but his power is unmatched in my opinion. He has the ability to go through blockers' faces, which is a good place to start as a pass rusher in our league. Everybody talks about all the speed guys that can run the hoops, but it's hard to get around Tristan Wirfs. He's just as athletic as a lot of these guys and it's tough to get around him, so you [have] to be able to incorporate some kind of power into your game and he has that already. Now it's just a matter of him continuing to hone his skills and be able to use changeups which he's already done a lot of. He had a really good defensive line coach at Miami, and he's probably pretty far ahead of the game compared to a lot of guys."

(On what factored into drafting Trotter over other linebackers)

"In the end, it's about the player and the person, right? We just thought he was one of those guys that matched up with both of them. He has a lot of ability to play in this league and again, I just talked about the toughness and the attitude that a guy like him brings to our defense…Then, the person and the leader that we think he can potentially be, and the teammate, he just fits the 'I am that man' [phrase] that we use a lot around here."

(On Trotter's physical strength and NFL Draft Combine performance)

"I think that's something you don't see a lot in the college game now like I said before. The ability to go on and take on these big offensive linemen and use that ability to press and get off blocks. He's pretty rare in that sense from a college guy coming out. So, to me, he's so much further ahead of the game being able to adapt to a pro-style game as opposed to a lot of these guys coming out of college – it's probably a bigger learning curve than what he's going to have."

(On how they evaluated Trotter versus other linebacker types)

"There's so many things that go into selecting a player, and I would say that we had all those guys pretty closely clumped together. They're all really good football players. So, when choosing one over the other, it just comes down to the conversations that we have as a scouting department and then the conversations we have with the coaches and the comfortability everybody has. We're so prepared going into the draft that we kind of know the way we're going to take them, and then we just stick to that. But Josiah, just all the stuff I've already talked about with the physicality, the ability to play downhill, the ability to cover, the ability to blitz, all those things are just intriguing and it was pretty unanimous with the coaches and the personnel department."

(On his comfort level with Trotter's limited college experience)

"I think we used to see that a lot more. I think the COVID stuff has changed that, so we've kind of gotten away from it, and you have a lot of these guys who are 23, 24, 25 and have played for five or six years…But that's kind of the way the college game used to be because we had so many underclassmen coming out, and not all of them are three-year starters. You saw it a lot more. Again, it's on a case-by-case basis and I think that Josiah has proven that he can play at a high level. Just from a mental standpoint, he's so far ahead of the curve, I believe."

(On how comfortable the football operations staff feels about which players are left on the board for Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday)

"For sure. I kind of hit on it earlier, I think this is a pretty deep draft and there's a lot of depth at a lot of different positions. Again, we're never going to force things. That's the beauty of tomorrow and picking up another fifth-round pick – and maybe we can talk Jason [Licht] into trading again and get a few more, but yeah, that's always exciting. Again, that's kind of when your scouting department kicks in in those later rounds, and it's always fun. Even going into undrafted free agency, all that stuff is a blast for scouts."

(On how the team weighs personality traits in roster building)

"I think that we do the same thing every year. Well, I shouldn't say that. We're always evolving. We try to stick to our core principles and bring in the right kind of guys, but at the same time, they're not all going to be choir boys. They all are competitive. If you look at some of the greatest defensive guys in Bucs history, they were not choir boys. So, it's fine. I think we have a really strong coaching staff, a really strong locker room that can handle some big personalities now. We're always going to stick to our core values and try to bring in the right kind of guys."

LINEBACKER JOSIAH TROTTER

(On his interactions with the Buccaneers during the pre-draft process, and his reaction to being drafted by Tampa Bay)

"It was a great visit being able to meet that staff even at the combine, having visits with them. So, just knowing that coaching staff, especially a lot of the guys on that coaching staff who I've known for a long time or they've known my dad (Jeremiah Trotter Sr.). Especially since I lived in Tampa for a little bit when my dad played for them, so kind of already knowing about not only just the culture, but Bucs football and being down there when I was younger. I am just excited to be able to get down there to get to work with all of those guys, my linebackers, coaches and the rest of the guys on that roster."

(On his strengths as a linebacker)

"I think without a doubt when it comes to my strengths it's obviously going to be physicality. I think at that position, that's a big thing just for me and just for how I was brought up. But, definitely physicality, my instincts, to be able to play with my brain, try to put myself ahead of plays and then just being a leader, being able to communicate, be a tone-setter. I think I'm going to be a player that not only is going to be able to do that, but also be productive out there in all phases of the game, and be someone that guys can look at, be an alpha, be a leader, be a green-dot guy and just to be looked at as not only a great football player, but a great locker room guy and someone who is going to put the team before himself."

(On what he knows about Head Coach Todd Bowles' defense)

"They like to blitz, man. They like to blitz and get after it, man. They play some good defense, hard-nose defense, and just talking to him, it's a great scheme, a great system to able to fit in and they're going to allow you to be able to showcase everything you can do as a linebacker from all over. I love that. I love what he's been doing down there, man, and [I have] been knowing him for a long time."

(On his unique connections to the Buccaneers as an organization)

"Just knowing [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles from when I did the camp with his son (Troy Bowles) and just knowing him ever since then [and] just the interactions with him. That was great when I met him then and when he met my dad and Coach [Mike] Caldwell and his family and just being family friends with them for so long, and knowing them with my dad. Both of our parents played together. It was really cool not only just to meet with them, but [have it] be a full-circle moment of just all this time that has passed and just know each other not only this long, but finally seeing each other [again]."

(On playing two years as a starter in college, and why he felt like he was ready for the NFL)

"I think for me, it was like when you come to the SEC, I feel like it's the best competition. When you go to the SEC and I feel like you're able to go dominate and I feel like it's the closest thing next to going to the NFL. I felt ready; I felt ready to go, and I feel like God was leading me into that direction – I had been praying about it and I'm just blessed to have the opportunity to just be able to come out. Trusting Him with how my process went and I knew I felt like I was ready and capable just being able to go to that next level, just not only play physically, but also mentally."

(On how he was able to develop his run-stopping instincts)

"A lot of it is God-given instincts and just the talent and ability that He's blessed me with to allow me to be able to use it. To have my dad in my life, to help me from young age on how to use those things…To grow up to not only to be a professional, but to play this position…There's a lot that comes with it, and a lot of behind the scenes that you [have] to put into it that a lot of people don't see. A lot of that he's built up in me just guiding me, showing me, so there's a lot with it. I think my strengths and just everything that comes with it is something that's just been molded and bred in me since I was born."

(On how comfortable he is with his coverage skills)

"To be able to showcase everything and I think I can when I line up in that scheme and coaching staff. I'm very comfortable when it comes to coverage and those aspects of whatever they're asking me to do at this point in my career being able to touch all of those aspects of the coverage or the play calling and defensive scheme. I think my big goal there, man, [is] just not only the coaches I have there with me, but be able to showcase [the elements of] my game and not only will they see it, but the whole NFL will see it. I'll be able to show them that not only am I a complete player, but the whole NFL."

(On how having a father and brother play in the NFL shaped his game and growth at the linebacker position)

"It shaped me so much from a young age. Kind of seeing my dad as dad and then growing up learning more about what that last name meant. Having him as not as a coach, as a father, but someone that played in the NFL at a high level, and then a brother that was really good, then ultimately, he's playing right now in the NFL. It was a lot of pressure maybe when I was younger, but I learned if you never embrace it, you'll always be running from it. So, I always learned how to embrace it, put a chip on my shoulder and I think it's also made me into the player I am today because they also helped me. They poured into me to be able to get me to this point as well. [I am] just blessed and thankful to God that not only were they in my life, but they were a positive influence and people that I look up to and really lean on not only for advice just for football, but just in life."

(On trying to fill in for former Buccaneers LB Lavonte David as a leader on the defense)

"The Bucs lost a great leader – a guy that I think should be in the Hall of Fame. Someone I grew up watching and really respected his game the way he played, especially as long as he did. To be able to come in as a young guy and be able to show guys that I'm ready to go, I'm ready to get to work and just be able to come in and be myself, be my authentic self, not trying to be something I'm not and just show that I can be a leader in my own way. To be able to come in and step in and be someone they look at – even though I just turned 21 – that I'm a leader, I can vocalize and I can go out there and make productive plays and they can look at [me] as an alpha and as a leader. Someone that they can trust and respect at the same time, ultimately."

(On which active NFL linebackers he tries to emulate)

"There's always my favorite, Fred [Warner]. Whenever I can catch his games, just watching good linebacker play. [For] me, I just like seeing good linebacker play across the league. I think there's a lot of good linebackers across the league that give some really good tape from week-to-week or throughout the season. For me, I never really had anybody to really say, 'Hey, I put my game after him.' I think my dad is always number one because that's my dad. He played and I'm always going to take a big portion from his game, especially my brother too. I think there are a lot of things I work on as a player and things I do you don't see too often, especially maybe nowadays. I'm trying to bring not only physicality back, but bring out [an] old school and new school feel back, bringing that dominant force. When they see the Bucs defense, I want people to fear that defense and fear that front seven all around, because I don't want it to be one player, I want it to be the whole defense, just be a bunch of 'dawgs' out there."

(On being a part of a rookie class with the Buccaneers first-round pick OLB Rueben Bain Jr.)

"Man, [I'm] excited. I was able to talk with him a while back when we were on the same visit together in Cincinnati. Great dude, I know he's fired up. He's got a chip on his shoulder like I got a chip on my shoulder. We're ready to just go show not only Bucs nation, but the NFL, the whole world what we can do. [I'm] just grateful too for the opportunity to go there and be able to show teams."

(On his conversation with Head Coach Todd Bowles about what role he would step into with the Buccaneers)

"Talking with [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles and just basically letting me know they lost Lavonte David and losing a great leader, a guy that's a green dot that's been there and played a long time, and that's a role to be able to step in and something they would ask me and that's something I've done since a young age. Someone that's been able to make plays, calls plays, everything like that. I'm very comfortable being able to do that and being able to step into that role and to do it to the best of my ability and knowing that I feel like they'd be happy with me being able to step into that position."

(On if he is only scratching the surface of his ability since he is only 21-years old)

"Without a shadow of a doubt. I'm only scratching my surface. I only played two seasons and was able to play one season with Mizzou and just get in there with a different scheme. I'm just scratching the surface, and once people find out and then to see what God put on the inside of me of what I can truly do as an all-around linebacker…They don't even know. I can only show you better than I can tell you, so that's all I really tell people – that I can only show you better than I can tell you. I'm just letting time do its thing and when I get there, just put my head down, go grind, get to work and just try to be the best me I can possibly be that God made me to be."

(On his message to Buccaneers fans)

"One thing, you're going to get a player that's not only committed and selfless, but is going to be a physical player and that's going to come in and try to bring a Super Bowl. That's my ultimate goal, to bring a Super Bowl to Bucs nation, and try to be the best version of myself not only for Bucs nation, but for my team, my coaches, my family and God. I just want to come in and give you everything I got every single day and just try to just come in and be myself. You guys lost a great one and I want to come in and try to be even better than that and exceed that. He was a great person just to be able to watch, especially as long as he was there."

WIDE RECEIVER TED HURST

(On his interactions with the Buccaneers in the pre-draft process and the opportunity he has at wide receiver with Tampa Bay)

"Yeah, man, Mike Evans is a great player, great leader. He definitely brought some game to that organization. Just having that opportunity to be picked after him or looked at after him as a guy who can potentially come in and make those same plays, I don't take that for granted at all. I'd definitely say just from day one, meeting the coaches on the Zoom call, they definitely were interested and they communicated after. I know they showed a lot of interest, man. I wouldn't say I knew where I was going at specifically, but I had this little feeling maybe I had a chance."

(On his Senior Bowl experience and competing against top talent)

"Just being looked at as people value and being able to come in and learn from coaches who are great at their position. They know the ins and outs of the game. I'll say just getting that experience and compete against guys who are also in this draft and considered the best guys in the world stepping into this league…Like I said, I don't take anything for granted, and I just try to leave my mark wherever I go at."

(On his decision to stay at Georgia State rather than transfer)

"Yeah. Unfortunately, I was with an agency, and my mom wasn't really feeling their representation and how they go about things…Luckily, I was surrounded by great people who have my best interests [in mind]. We kind of just talked about the pros and the cons of everything and my situation and the what if's and whatever and the 'You can do this from Georgia State. You can set the pathway for Georgia State and be the biggest guy to come from there.' I wore that on my sleeve and I knew who I was. I knew regardless of where I'm at, the NFL will find me. My mom was like, don't chase the money, son, the money is going to come."

(On reuniting with another former Georgia State player in Buccaneers tackle Benjamin Chukwuma)

"Big Ben! Yeah, definitely. I know he picked it up and he has been blessed to make the opportunity of the 53-man roster. So, if I could soak up any game just from an older guy, I know he is probably going about it the right way to handle his business. If I could soak up any knowledge from him, definitely looking forward to that."

(On his ability to make explosive plays)

"Yeah, man, I'd say [that's due to] my preparation coming into the game. I try those things. I practice really hard. When the opportunity comes, I feel like I excel. Luckily, I've been surrounded by great people who had my best interests [in mind]. My game was definitely not [well-rounded], and they helped me polish my game."

(On developing his contested catch ability)

"I'll say that's more so of playing multiple sports, playing basketball a lot. I'm a big fan of basketball. Just being a guy who goes up and gets the ball as a rebound, that's kind of how I think of a jump ball."

(On which NFL wide receivers he studies and models his game after)

"I'd say Tee Higgins, George Pickens. I like 'J-Mo' (Jameson Williams) a lot. A lot of those big guys who can move in and out their breaks, go get the ball at the same time, maybe catch it at the line of scrimmage and maybe take it to the house."

(On catching passes from Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield)

"I haven't [taken] a chance to grasp that yet. When I get the opportunity to get there, I'm going to be plugged [in] to him and I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity I get."

(On learning from veteran wide receivers in the room)

"Yeah, man, coming into this thing, the best feedback I got from these coaches is to stick to that older guy who does the thing right. I was really big on I want to come in and have immediate success, so I'm going to stay in their hip pocket, maybe be a little annoying at the same time, but I know these are probably great guys in the room and they're great leaders. I look forward to looking up to those guys and I know that's going to help me expand my game."

(On his mindset entering the Senior Bowl and handling pressure against tougher competition)

"I'll say I'm big in my Bible. I took that morning and I prayed that day before I even hit the field. I know everything was in God's hands. I prepared myself well for those moments. I've been through situations, close games, tight games…I know what it feels like to lose. So, anything I do, I do it to my best ability. I know how to go about things and I feel like if I give my all, I'm comfortable with that."

(On what he brings to the Buccaneers)

"I feel like I'm a true big-body 'X' receiver, but I also can play anywhere on the field, and I'm dynamic. I'm a team player at the same time. If you're asking me to do any role or play any position, I'm going to step in and do my part."

(On how he's celebrating the draft with family and friends)

"Yeah, about 40 to 50 family members, close friends that I grew up with, my family. I'm really big on my family, my household, my grandma and cousins and all that. They're out here and they're excited, man – maybe more excited than me."

(On his family's reaction to the draft call)

"Before I even picked up the phone, they already were pulling out the cameras, they're running up, everybody's just getting ready and excited for the moment. Actually, I already had got the call before I even got the chance to see it on TV, so they were already causing havoc in the Airbnb and the party and all of that. They were going crazy."

(On becoming the highest-drafted player in Georgia State history)

"Yeah, man, I give a shout out to [Head] Coach Dell McGee and my receiver coach, Coach Dameyune Craig, also TaQuon Marshall, my assistant receiver coach. They had a plan for me, and they told me how they felt about me just coming there. They were truthful from the beginning, and they saw the potential in me. They stuck with me every day and glued to me by those words of encouragement or words I needed to hear."

(On his message to Buccaneers fans)

"Y'all got a 'dawg.' I'm telling you, I've seen all these people saying sleeper of the draft, man. I'm here for a reason."

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