TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS QUOTE SHEET 4-26-25

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER ROB MCCARTNEY

(Opening Statement)

"I just wanted to start in honor of [John] Spytek last year and the last few years…We spend a lot of time talking about this and I want to be able to do it again. I'm proud to be able to stand up here and represent all of the people that were so impactful to the draft this year. So, with the college scouts: Tony Hardie, Byron Kiefer, Antwon Murray, Andy Speyer, Brian McLaughlin, Cesar Rivera, Zach Smith, Emmett Clifford, Korey Finnie. Those guys put in a lot of time on the road [and are] very impactful to everything we do with the draft. All of the character stuff, they are crucial to that. All of the culture in the locker room that we all speak about, they are the lifeblood of that – they get the process started. They do a tremendous job. Pro scouts that help out with the draft, Sean Conley, Donovan Cotton, Shannon Hogue, Shane Scannell, as well, with all the team needs. Football technology – Spencer Dille, Joey Lawra, we wouldn't be able to do this without those two. Our scouting assistants, Jeremiah Bogan and Jordan Morrow – all the point of attack tapes they make, labels, magnets…Along with Peighton Roth, our scouting coordinator. Shoutout to our player engagement staff Duke [Preston] and Tyler [Thompson]. We've got all of the medical assistants we had, too. We had a lot of conversations with Bobby [Slater] and his crew, 'Dutchie' (Scott DeGraff), John [Amos], Sammy [Richter] and all of the doctors. [We had] a lot of great conversations with them over the past few weeks, trying to make sure we're on our P's and Q's with all of the medical stuff. The video staff, for all the help – Brett [Greene], RJ [Harvey], Levi [Lewis] and Justin [Camp]. 'Q's' (Shelton Quarles) guys, Timmy [Jarocki], Zach [Orth] and Joe Dowell for driving everybody around on all of the [top] 30 visits did a great job, too. Then, obviously, Jackie [Davidson] and 'Greeny' (Mike Greenberg) for all the stuff they supported us with throughout the last few weeks. Then, [Mike] Biehl and obviously Jason [Licht] and everyone else that comes with this process. We're jacked upstairs. I think the theme of this is we got to draft a lot of the guys that really brought joy to us in this process and who were fun to watch throughout the whole entire process. I think there's been a lot of energy I saw from some of the guys you got to talk to already – that was definitely a point of emphasis there, too. I'll open it up to whatever questions you guys have."

(On the selection of WR Tez Johnson in the seventh round)

"There's not a lot of guys that have cracked it [in the NFL] under 160 [lbs] but you've got the Tutu Atwell's, you've got a guy like Tank Dell. He doesn't play 4.5 [40-yard dash time], he plays a lot faster. There are a lot of instances where he's the fastest player on the field. There are multiple games where I thought he was the best player, too. His roommate two years ago, Bucky [Irving], he will vouch for that guy every day – he's one of his best friends. He plays the game the same kind of way, so that really excited us. We had a chance to spend time with him at the combine – he was one of our formal interviews – and he just lights up the room. I think he'll be a great impact in the locker room and then on the field with his ability with the ball in his hands."

(On if WR Tez Johnson will play on special teams)

"For sure, yeah. I mean, he was a really good punt returner for [Oregon] and I think he'll have a chance to compete for that job here with us, too."

(On if DL Eliah Roberts will play a similar role to defensive linemen William Gholston and Logan Hall)

"I think he's got the ability to do a lot of things. He's a pressure player that can get to the quarterback. I think you start there and you see he's 285 [lbs], he runs in the 4.8's [40-yard dash time] and he's got long arms and a lot of production – both TFLs and sacks. I think his role is on third downs and sub packages. He's going to be a guy that we can move around – we can stand him up or play him off the edge. I think he's going to be really good rushing inside over guards, too. In the base stuff, I think there's a chance we get creative with him, too. I think he can play [defensive] end, I think he can be the 4i (inside) [or] five-[technique] too. I think there's going to be a lot of versatility that he's going to be able to offer us."

(On the selection of OLB David Walker coming from a small school)

"We always talk about this – he was the most dominant player on the field. When you watch those small school guys, a thing everyone always says in our profession is: if he's not the best player on the field, it probably gives you some pause. Time and time again, David Walker showed up. Then he goes to Mobile, [Alabama], and does the same thing there. There was a lot of positivity to take from his time down at the Senior Bowl, too. That was another guy we spent time with at the combine and we feel really good about not only the athlete, but the instincts, the power, the speed, his ability to help us on special teams, too, and rush from the off the edge. I think he's another guy that we have some versatility with, too."

(On the nature of CB Benjamin Morrison's hip injury and whether or not it was injury-related or a condition)

"It was definitely a conversation. I'll try to keep all of the medical stuff between us and the doctors, but it was discussed and it made us feel better."

(On the two cornerbacks Tampa Bay drafted – Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish)

"When you watch Benjamin Morrison and you watch Notre Dame's defense – they're really well-coached on defense – he likes to be up at the line of scrimmage, that's where he does his best work. Going back throughout his career, he's a guy that can take the ball away. He's a big corner, he's young, he's instinctive, it means a lot to him, and he can take the ball away. [Jacob] Parrish is another guy who was down in Mobile, [Alabama], and stood out there for his athletic ability. I think he's got a chance to be a really good nickel, but also he's got the athletic ability and man cover skills to play on the perimeter, too. We had him in here for a visit and he has a wrestling background, as well – his whole family wrestled and he messed around with it a little bit. A multi-sport athlete that ran really fast and has a wrestler's mentality in a nickel corner is a rare and fun combination to marry."

(On not drafting an inside linebacker and if that speaks to the quality of this year's draft class at that position)

"We went through the process with all of those guys. We had some guys in play today, they just happened to go in a spot where we couldn't get to them. We're obviously really happy with the guys we got, but we feel good about Lavonte [David], 'Voss' (SirVocea Dennis), Anthony Walker [Jr.], we've got Deion Jones flashing things late in the season last year. We think we've got a pretty good group in there, and we'll try to supplement it after the draft here with some good players – mostly guys that can probably help us on special teams in year one and see where it goes from there."

(On if there was any interest in drafting offensive linemen)

"That's another position [where] obviously we talk about everything. Tackles are hard to come by. I think Eli [Klein] can do both center and guard, and Ben [Bredeson] can do both center and guard. I think if we got in a pinch…Obviously, we've got Raiqwon [O'Neal] here, too, and Sua [Opeta] is still rehabbing a little bit but I think he's going to be in a good spot, too. We have bodies that can make our team and compete and help us there. That's another spot, post-draft, that we're definitely going to put an emphasis on."

(On General Manager Jason Licht not making a trade for the second year in a row)

"'Greeny' (Mike Greenberg) is beside himself. 'Greeny' and Jackie [Davidson] were on the phones this year. I don't think anyone else's phone rang. After the third one, I was like, 'Alright, this is going to be the round where we trade back,' and then, 'Nah, we're going to pick – we like this guy.' We've done pretty well sticking and picking lately. I think we've got a nice little groove of doing that, but I know 'Greeny' is getting a little antsy upstairs."

(On the undrafted players from last year's draft that he is most excited to see in Year 2, such as safeties Marcus Banks and Rashad Wisdom)

"Yeah, I'll just shout out those two guys – those guys were here every day in the offseason. Kam Johnson is another one that had some injury issues last year, but he will be a guy that will be in the mix with Tez [Johnson] to compete for that return job too. But those two safeties – just about those guys – they're here all of the time. They represent all of the character stuff that we're about, too, so it's good to see those guys around and really committed to the process. That group last year – I think we've got a chance to have somebody pop out of that, too, so hopefully we can do as good this year."

(On if he has a sense for how impactful the rookies can be this season coming out of the draft)

"I think when we're starting and we're stacking the board trying to figure out best player versus need, it does come into play there. Obviously, I think Emeka [Egbuka] is going to have a big impact for us. I think both corners are going to play a lot. And I think we're excited about trying to find [David] Walker a way to get on the field, and it's probably going to be third downs come early. We do – as everyone said – we do feel good about that room with Yaya [Diaby], Haason [Reddick], 'Nelly' (Anthony Nelson), 'Bras' (Chris Braswell Jr.). So, he's going to have to really prove himself, but I think he's got the ability to do it. Then, I think the D-line, too – he (Elijah Roberts) is going to be able to get into the rotation pretty quickly, and again, also on the third down stuff, but I think Elijah is going to have a good chance to help us, too."

(On if he thinks the team is going to be improved at pressuring the quarterback)

"I think we're going to be a better team pressuring the quarterback and a better team probably at taking the ball away, too."

(On if the team envisions playing more press coverage after taking cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, as well as adding to the team's pass rush through the draft)

"I think that's always the goal is to be able to get pressure with four and have corners that make it really hard, no matter if they're in off [coverage] or if they're in press, or man or zone and [are able to] disrupt the catch point. Now we have guys who can take the ball away and two guys that can really run, too. I think if we can get pressure with four we will be better and that will allow us to be a lot more versatile and hopefully press a lot more in coverage."

(On what point he realized how impactful RB Bucky Irving was going to be last season)

"There was a lot of talk in camp. There was a lot of talk like, 'This looks a little different.' Then, the Washington game early on – he had some big runs there. Then [versus] Denver, too. It was always there and then you're kind of always like, 'We will see. We will see.' But he's just wired the right kind of way. He's still the same – he's still coming in here early morning and busting his butt."

(On how he gauges the speed of CB Benjamin Morrison who wasn't really able to go through the typical testing due to injury)

"I think you guys aren't going to be surprised, but we just watch the tape. If he's playing fast, then we pretty much stick with it. That's kind of how we are. We have dabbled into a little bit of the GPS stuff and the player tracking stuff – it's not always the most reliable. Like you get the instance of, 'Hey, he's running with the vertical so he's going to open up more.' I think Ben [Morrison] has the instincts where he is normally in phase [and] in position, so he is not stressed to have to run like that. So, we do have access to some of that stuff, but really, I think you guys have been around us long enough – I think you know we're basing most everything off the tape and how fast we think they play."

(On what Morrison showed in his workout last week that gave them the confidence to select him in the 2025 NFL Draft)

"I think that he is trending in the right direction. Obviously, his tape speaks for itself. He is a very talented player. That was another guy we spent time with in [Indianapolis] and just to see the progression and to see him at Notre Dame – he was at the Pro Day – and then to see him work out out in Arizona last week… just to see, really, like our medical stuff. We had that in one area, but just to see him progressing and get some updates there, and then see that he is working, he's on the field and he is in shape. I think that will be the big thing for us is not to push him until we feel great that he is in good enough shape to actually go out there and do it, which hopefully is not too long."

(On his reaction to the phone call between General Manager Jason Licht, Head Coach Todd Bowles and CB Benjamin Morrison)

"I mean, they're all great and it's a huge moment in these guys lives. It's really the start of something bigger, but it's [also] the culmination up to this point of what they've been able to do. And to have all of their families around… That was a rare one, though, just to see all of the emotion. That was definitely different – that was cool to see. It kind of gives you pause up there. We're talking about all of these players, and as you guys know, we're going deep into the character, so just to see how much this means to him is very impactful."

(On if there has been a player whose talent has matched his character as much as WR Emeka Egbuka)

"Yeah, there were a few guys in the draft… We have our grading scale – our tier system for the character [aspect] – he really was above the best of the best there. I don't think we spent time with everybody in the draft, but for guys that we've been around for the last however many years – he's the elite of the elite. Everyone you talk to at Ohio State, or from back home out in Washington – anyone who has spent time with the kid, they're all raving about him. You guys got to see that and then we got to meet his family the other day. We took him into the draft room, and you can see why he is wired the way that he is. Even Graham [Barton] last year was very similar. It's obviously the standard that we have and we're really glad to keep doing that."

(On the amount of spots left to sign undrafted free agents this year)

"I think we were at like 74 before the draft, so we will sign 10 guys, probably, and go from there."

(On what he likes about OLB David Walker and DL Elijah Roberts regarding how they can disrupt the quarterback)

"Yeah, I think David Walker has proven that he is a super instinctive pass rusher. He knows how to win on the high side with his speed. He loves to go speed to power. He doesn't have long arms, but he uses what he does have with his length really well. He is really powerful, and he knows how to take the inside, too. It's really like a unique presentation of how he looks but it really works for him, and he is super effective. He has great feet, so I think just his knack to get to the passer – he has been super productive at every stop, every year. I think there is a lot of confidence there. Then, Elijah, we were down at the East-West [Shrine Game] and seeing him rush over the guard, which he didn't do too too much at SMU – he was mostly off of the edge – and realizing he is 285 with the quickness and then the length, plus the power. I think that they can win from different spots, but I think that they have both been really productive which for us is a big indicator, and they both play really, really hard."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER DAVID WALKER

(On what drives him)

"I'd say my faith, man. I'm big on my faith. Seeing how the Lord has provided and brought me this far, it's exciting."

(On returning for his final season at the University of Central Arkansas)

"100%. I feel like it was the best choice for me, getting a chance to play with my brother, getting a chance to put on that purple one more time. Like you said, the legacy…When football is over, I'll be forever remembered at UCA just because of the records and the things that I did there. That means a lot to me."

(On his 82 career tackles for loss in college)

"Summer after summer, that's the thing me and my outside linebacker coach would work on – the small details, the things that people miss. I feel like refining those tools every year is helping me every year. I improved every year. I'm going to keep doing that."

(On also playing basketball and soccer in high school, and how that helped him)

"Soccer, man, soccer is footwork – you've got to have some good footwork to play the position that I play. Basketball, it's just the movement of the game – crossing over, doing the one-two…Football is basketball on grass. Being able to play those sports and being able to see how I do those things on the field, as well, it helped me a lot."

(On forcing four forced fumbles during his final season at Central Arkansas)

"Our coach, every year, we worked ball drills every day in practice. Seeing that, going into the game, he was like, 'These guys are holding the ball a little loose – I want you guys to go in there and punch it out.' We'd practice that every day leading up to that game, and I had three in one game. It was crazy."

(On if he's talked to the Buccaneers in terms of his role with the team)

"No sir, but I'm willing to do anything."

(On what his communication with the Buccaneers was like in the pre-draft process)

"I spoke to the defensive coordinator and outside linebacker coach [Larry Foote]. It was awesome being able to speak to the coaches and pick their brain and [see] how they're wired. It was cool."

(On how excited he is to join a room and learn from OLBs Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick)

"It's exciting. Like you said, Haason Reddick, he's had crazy years, and Yaya, he's just a stud, so being able to go into that room and just learn from those guys and get under their wing and see how they cooperate and how they lead themselves on the field and off the field. I feel like it's going to be big for my game."

(On getting an invitation to the Senior Bowl and having a successful performance)

"It was an honor just to get invited to play against the top talent in the world. Just going there, leading up to that week, I just wanted to show the world that I belong. Just because of the division that I'm in, and the people that I play… Man, the FCS has some good talent too. Just going there and just showing that I belong, it was a good feeling. It just boosted my confidence showing that I can compete with these guys and that I can play at the next level. I took a lot from there and I learned a lot from the NFL coaches as well."

(On what the moment was like receiving the NFL Combine invitation)

"It was a dream come true. As a kid, that's what you dreamed. That's what you watched – the guys at the combine and seeing how it's orchestrated and stuff like that. It was a surreal moment."

(On what separates him from other outside linebackers)

"I'd say my effort, just running to the ball, chasing down the ball backside and my pass rush too. I feel like I have an instinct for when to go in and when to go out. I just love ball."

(On if there are any players he models his game after)

"Yes, sir. I'm a big James Harrison guy, Brandon Graham – I like Brandon Graham – and the last one, I'd say Elvis Dumervil."

(On how he feels about his ability to drop in pass coverage)

"I'm comfortable with it. My past two years here, that's all I did was drop back. Coaches wanted to showcase that just in case they needed that, just so that I could be versatile on the line. It helped a lot."

(On if his six pass deflections this past season came from plays where he dropped in pass coverage)

"Yes, sir."

(On his message for the Buccaneers fans watching)

"I'm excited to be a Buc. It's a great organization and I'm willing to do anything to contribute. Y'all are going to get a guy in me that's going to be a stand-up guy. I have great effort and hopefully I can bring the energy that y'all need."

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ELIJAH ROBERTS

(On how he's feeling and what the moment was like receiving the call from the Buccaneers)

"It was great. It was just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. It was so fun. I mean, it was just a great thing. I didn't really know what to expect, so getting that call from you guys really just made my day. It made my year. Thank you guys so much. You guys just made a little kid who had this dream from a long time just come true. Thank you so much."

(On if where he's projected to play in the defense came up in any of his conversations with Tampa Bay)

"This is the crazy thing – I honestly really didn't talk to them as much as I did to other teams, so I really don't know the plan yet. Anywhere they put me, on the outside, inside – I'm a football player so I'll be ready."

(On how it is to be a Miami local and to be playing with LB Lavonte David)

"It's good. It's just good to know that I have a veteran like that behind me, who will be able to orchestrate the defense. And then, like you said, being a Miami guy, I have a quick drive up to Tampa and I'll be home. I'll be good. I can't wait."

(On having 131 pressures over the last two seasons and how that will translate to the NFL)
"I'm just a versatile guy. I honestly think I'm the best defensive lineman when it comes to stopping the run and rushing the passer. Film doesn't lie, man. I could set the edge from the outside, I could set the edge on the inside at three technique and I could pass rush from anywhere, whether that's a zero, one, three, two, wide, five or a nine. Just being able to move around as much as I did at SMU [Southern Methodist University], that's why my pressure count was up there, sack count was pretty high as well. I feel like everything that I do well will translate as well, but obviously, there's a lot of my game that I want to get better for sure."

(On what parts of his game he wants to improve)

"Just the little things. Being [really] strategical, [really] technical with the footwork, with the get off consistently, just being technical with myself. I'm my biggest critic so I can honestly go down the list and I can tell you things about myself. Obviously, I'm a really good player but just getting into the league, every day I have to try to work to get better for sure."

(On if there is a defensive lineman in the league he models his game after)

"I like to watch a lot of bigger guys who kind of are versatile guys like Cam Jordan, Chris Jones, DeMarcus Lawrence. Guys who fit my frame, who are very versatile because like I said, I see myself as a versatile guy who can move up and down the line. Even guys like Braden Fiske – I mean, there's so many guys who are so versatile on the d-line and that's where I see myself fitting in for sure."

(On what the coaches and program at Southern Methodist University did to prepare him for the NFL)

"Man, that coaching staff did everything for me, as far as just raising me up on the field, off the field, to be a young man, to be the man I am today. They honestly showed real love, genuine love, and that's why SMU has so much success and they'll continue to have so much success. It's not about just, 'What are you doing for me?' I mean, obviously that matters in a game of football. It's all about wins and losses but it's also – they care for every single person that's in the building. I think that's the biggest thing."

(On if he left Miami because SMU was a better fit or if there were a lot of people in front of him on the depth chart)

"Somewhat, I guess, but SMU – honestly, when I hit the portal, it was just more of a scheme fit. I had offers from ACC schools, Big 12, whatever the case may be. It was more of how can I fit in? And then how does the scheme fit me? It was just more at SMU. When I talked to them, they knew how versatile I was and they told me that I'll be able to play the five, I'll be able to rush from a three technique, I'll be able to rush from a nine technique. It was a no brainer for me to honestly go there."

(On where specifically in Miami he grew up)

"Down in the Goulds area. It's way down south near Homestead area, if you're familiar with South Florida so it's like way down south from Miami."

(On getting the invitation to the East West Shrine Bowl and how that experience went)

"It was great. Any time you're in a competitive setting like that, I feel like that always brings out the best in players so I mean that's kind of how I felt. Just going out there, didn't really feel like I had anything to prove, just wanted to show that okay, I guess the best guys – it's not like my place is going to drop or anything like that. I just wanted to show that I'm a ball player. Everybody's not perfect. Sometimes you're going to lose one-on-one reps and all that stuff. You just have to be ready for the moment. Honestly, being in that moment, it was just a great environment going against new guys every day and then even in the game, going against great guys. East West Shrine Bowl, thank you to them and then thank you to the Bucs as well, of course."

(On getting the invitation to the NFL Combine)

"That was great. I was one of the last wave of guys to get the combine invite so getting that right after the East West Shrine Bowl, it was just a great week for me. I remember me and my agents on the phone just going crazy about that – the combine, East West Shrine. This whole process has been great, nothing short of a blessing. I'm just happy to be here, blessed to be here."

(On if he would like to share anything about the volunteering he's involved in in Miami)

"My mom, she has a non-profit for domestic violence victims. She's been doing that for over 10 years now. Ever since I can remember, me and my brothers and sisters [have been] packing up purses, writing nice notes to victims, sending it to the shelters where the women are and just handing them out. You just write a note on the purse and it has a lot of toiletries in there, stuff they may need because when you go to the shelter, there are women who are on the run from their abuser. They don't really have much. They're literally just on the run and they don't really have much with them besides the clothes on their back and the shoes on their feet. We've been doing that forever and then now I'm in a better position to help my mom grow that. Whatever that my be, whether that's get her own shelter so she can help people out more or get people into housing and just giving that next step once you're in the shelter, and getting that next step into helping themselves, because that's not an easy thing – being a victim of abuse. It's tough."

(On if he has a message to Buccaneers fans)

"You guys are getting a great player. On the field, off the field, I'm a great guy. I'm a Florida guy so I'll basically be home, but as far as football goes, I don't think there's anybody better. I really can't wait to just come in, have that chip on my shoulder and just really show people what I can really do. I'm so grateful to the Bucs. So grateful."

(On if he's excited to play with NT Vita Vea and DL Calijah Kancey)
"I honestly played [against] Calijah, I think my junior year of high school. We beat them though, we blew them out. [It was] the first week and we beat them, but he had a great game. I think he had a strip sack or he scooped and scored – either or, he probably did both [laughs]. He had a great game. I remember seeing him across the sideline, he was a great player. Being able to line up next to those guys, just knowing that they're going to draw so much attention kind of freeing me up on those one-on-ones, it's going to be great. It's going to really good."

WIDE RECEIVER TEZ JOHNSON

(On what went through his mind after waiting until Day 3 and then receiving the phone call)

"That's exactly what I said when I answered the phone. I was like, 'What took them so long?' Obviously, it's a blessing. I'm excited to get there. I immediately thought of my boy Bucky [Irving] as soon as I got the call. Literally, 31 teams and we're about to be their kryptonite the whole time. It's going to be a crazy experience and I can't wait to get there. I'm excited. I have a few of my buddies down there with 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) being there. We have some really good weapons to use for Baker Mayfield for sure."

(On if the success that RB Bucky Irving and WR Jalen McMillan had as rookies makes him more excited for the opportunities)

"I can't wait to get there, especially being in the same room with 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan), and then just being there with Bucky because we're the energizer bunnies. We're some of those guys that we wake up every day in the morning and we're on. We are always going to have a smile on our face and let's go to work. That's something I'm excited for – just being able to work with the team and getting better. Now it's time to show everybody what I can showcase and I just can't wait. I'm so excited."

(On his ability to be elusive and gain a lot of yards after the catch)

"I'm going to be so honest with you right now – I watch Bucky [Irving] highlights before every game. It's crazy. I used to watch De'Anthony Thomas, but if you watch Bucky Irving highlights when he first got to Oregon, nobody could touch him. It's like one of those things I try to tie into my game, and don't get me wrong, I was always good at breaking tackles and things like that. I definitely wanted to be able to make three guys miss, make four guys miss. That's the excitement of the game and when you're watching me play, you're going to be like, 'Oh, this guy is electrifying. You can't get him down. If he wants to go down, he goes down on his own.' I'm like a squirrel, like you don't really touch those guys. They can get away whenever they want to."

(On his experience on special teams as a punt returner)

"Oh yeah, I can't wait to get that for Tampa. I can tell you right now, any team I was going to get drafted to, that punt return is mine. It's something I take pride in. I would not want to be the receiver that just plays receiver. I want to play both – receiver and punt returner. That's my goal in the league – to be a dynamic punt returner, and then to have some pieces to the offense and be able to work as a receiver, too, like being a Swiss Army Knife. I can't wait to get there and be able to help the team for sure."

(On what he did today to celebrate the draft)
"I'm at a lake house right now with my family. I have both families here, my boy Bo [Nix] here, both my moms, both my dads, all my brothers, my twin cousins, like everybody's here right now. It was a little crazy. As soon as I got the call, my mom dropped to her knees. She cried so bad, it was crazy. I was like, 'Oh, lord.' You know what I mean? I was holding tears in though. I got my crying out early on the dock out there. Yeah, it was really fun. It was really good. I was so happy when I got the call. As soon as I saw Tampa Bay, I was like, 'They messed up. All these other teams have messed up. They let me and my boy [Bucky Irving] get back together.' I can't wait to get there. I'm so excited to get there. I'm ready to be a Buc."

(On the journey he and his mom had to go through and the sacrifices to get here and what he felt seeing her so emotional today)

"I knew she was going to cry. I knew she was going to be the… It was crazy. She's been through so much. I put her through so much as a young kid, so I mean now even the sacrifices she made – I knew it was hard on her, but now hopefully I can lift some of that weight off her shoulders in the long run in the future. I can't wait to get her to Tampa Bay and watch me play in Tampa, and she's always wanted to live in Florida, so hey, she might have something coming in the near future for sure."

(On if being a seventh-round draft pick puts a chip on his shoulder)

"It added fuel to the fire. I'm telling you, I said whatever team picks me, they got the best guy in the draft. They got the best separator, the best guy on third downs and literally, they got the best guy that can take the top off whenever and nobody's going to be able to touch me. Let there continue to be doubt with the Buccaneers because right now, I'm a Buc and that's for the rest of my life. They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me, seriously."

(On his ability to create separation so quickly)

"I always have been one of those guys that wants to be able to separate. It's hard because of my size, but guess what? You still have to come out here and tackle me. If I separate from you, and you're not doing your job, I'm going to make your job really, really hard. I don't take it for granted. It's a God-given ability and I give all the credit to the Lord that I'm able to play this game and showcase my talents and be one of those guys that can separate and will no matter what. God blessed me with that talent and I can't thank him enough for it. That's pretty much it."

(On what he has to say to the people that doubt his size)

"Come tackle me and watch what I do."

(On who are some of the wide receivers that he models his game after)

"Tank Dell. I watch him every day. I watch Cooper Kupp, Tyler Lockett and I think I just watch Bo [Nix] because that's my brother. He's a quarterback but I watch him. Those are the guys I watch and they're elite at the game. They're very elite and very technically sound. You can tell they work on their craft in the offseason and I want to be one of those guys too – work on my craft in the offseason, be able to showcase it on Sunday. Now that I'm there, I [will] be able to get notes from Mike Evans, and Jalen McMillan – he already had a rookie year so like how did he do it? [Chris] Godwin, like all those guys in that room, I [will] be able to learn from them, too. I've never been one of the guys that just comes into a room and be like, 'Oh, this is mine.' I want to learn first. There [are] guys there that know stuff that I've never known before so it's my ability to be a sponge and soak it all in and be able to learn from those guys immediately."

(On what the relationship with Broncos QB Bo Nix and his family means to him)

"It means everything. Bo helped me through the whole entire way and I can't thank him enough. That's why he's the best quarterback in the league and, like I said, I can't thank him enough. It's my brother. I love him to death. No matter what team I go to… Words can't explain to Bo how I feel about him. He helped me so much throughout the way. I love him to death. He's the best quarterback, I think, in my eyes, that I've seen as a rookie. My thing is, Bo, he wasn't a rookie. He was never a rookie. He walked into the NFL a veteran so I love that guy to death and words can't explain it for sure."

(On his friendship with Broncos QB Bo Nix)

"My friendship with him is like we're brothers. We don't sugarcoat or [anything] with each other. If you feel like walking behind me and smacking me in the head, that's what he does [laughs]. That's my brother. Our bond is special. You can't really explain it. I'm the goofy one and he's more serious but he's goofy all the time. I can get him out of that serious mode and… and then I'll get him riled up [laughs]."

(On where his confidence comes from)

"God. I go by this thing called 'audience of one'. It means only one person can judge you when all is said and done. Not a fan, not how many balls you catch, not how many punts you catch or how many touchdowns you've scored. Only God can judge you at the end of the day. Audience of one is what I standby and I'm confident and I stand firm in the blood of Jesus. I've walked with him the whole entire way and he got me where I am now. No matter what the naysayers say about me, no matter how big I am, no matter how tall I am. Like I said, God is the only person that can judge me. I never had a doubt in me. Never."

(On how he's going to spend the rest of his night)

"I'm going to jump in the lake in a minute. I'm going to take this suit off and it's over with. I'm going to go right in there and dive headfirst – I might not go headfirst [laughs]. I'm going to go back first."

(On what is on his chain around his neck)

"It says Tez-mania. My chain – they call me the Tez-mania because [of the] Tasmanian Devil. I spin off tackles a lot, I spin a lot."

(On whether he talks trash on the field)

"Actually, I don't but I know when a DB talks to me, he's scared."

(On if he has anything to say to Buccaneers fans watching)

"Hey, Bucs nation, I'm ready to work. I can't wait to get there. Y'all [are going to] get a Super Bowl out of us. I'm telling you, we're [going to be] the best organization, the best locker room, the best team, like everything. I'm a Buc for life now. Thank you. Bless up to me, and I can't wait to get there and see you guys."

-BUCCANEERS-