Byron Kiefer enters his 21st season overall with the Buccaneers and second as a senior personnel executive.
In his role, Kiefer is responsible for coordinating and compiling evaluations of all draft-eligible players and helping to oversee the scouting staff. Prior to his promotion during the 2024 offseason, Kiefer most recently spent two seasons as assistant director of college scouting and the previous four as a senior national scout for Tampa Bay during which he scouted prospects east of the Mississippi river.
In 2024, Kiefer provided valuable insight to a draft that produced four starters in center Graham Barton, running back Bucky Irving, wide receiver Jalen McMillan and defensive back Tykee Smith. Irving earned PFWA All-Rookie honors after leading the draft class in yards from scrimmage (1,514), rushing yards (1,122), and rushing touchdowns (eight), while Irving and Barton combined to help lead the Buccaneers rise from the NFL's 32nd-ranked rush offense in 2023 to the fourth-best in 2024 (149.2 rush yards per game). Smith was the only rookie in 2024 to record multiple interceptions and multiple forced fumbles.
Over the years, Kiefer has played a key role in the scouting efforts of a number of successful draft picks for Tampa Bay, including the acquisitions of outside linebacker Yaya Diaby and defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the 2023 NFL Draft. The duo combined for 59 pressures, 22 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits and 11.5 sacks during their rookie campaign. Diaby led all rookies in tackles for loss in 2023, with 12, and tied for first in fumble recoveries (two), in addition to leading the Buccaneers in sacks. Meanwhile, Kancey was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November, finishing his rookie campaign tied for second among rookies in tackles for loss (10), tied for fourth in quarterback hits (12) and sixth in quarterback pressures (33). Previously, Kiefer contributed to the selections of three starting members of the secondary for Tampa Bay's Super Bowl LV championship team – Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean and Jordan Whitehead. In 2017, Kiefer was a big advocate for future Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has put forth four 1,000-yard seasons for Tampa Bay.
In his nine seasons working as an area scout, Kiefer handled the Southeast region of the country. Kiefer began his career with the Buccaneers as a pro personnel assistant in 2005. In this role, he assisted in daily transactions and coordinated player tryouts. He also assisted in scouting other pro leagues, including NFL Europa, CFL and AFL. He then served as the team's National Football Scouting representative, in which his focus was scouting players in the Southeast as well as working with the NFL combine, where he helped the NFL select invitees to the annual event.
Since joining the staff, Kiefer has been a part of six NFC South division championships and Super Bowl LV.
Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Kiefer worked in the University of South Florida football office during the 2003 season, assisting with football operations and recruiting. He also worked as a trade support associate at Raymond James Financial from 2003-05.
Kiefer graduated from Mercer University in 2002, where he was a letterman pitcher on the baseball team. Kiefer and his wife, Mirela, have two sons, Tyson and Nolin. They reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.
