Selected by Tampa Bay in the second round (58th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
2013 AP All-Pro First-Team Selection. 2x AP All-Pro Second-Team Selection (2016, 2020) NFC Defensive Player Of The Month (September 2020).
2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 12, 2013; Week 10, 2015).
2020 ESPN All-Pro Selection
USA Today All-Joe Team (2012, 2013). x 2012 PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team.
NFC Defensive Rookie Of The Month (November 2012).
Has started all 149 regular season games that he has played, totaling 1,220 tackles (133 for loss), 59 quarterback hits, 54 passes defensed, 26.0 sacks, 12 interceptions (two returned for touchdown), 26 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries (one returned for touchdown) and one safety.
Started six playoff games, recording 39 tackles (two for loss), four passes defensed, one quarterback hit, one sack and one fumble recovery.
Joined Ray Lewis as only players in NFL history to record 1,000 tackles, 20.0 sacks and 10 interceptions through their first eight seasons.
Selected to NFL.com's 2010s AllDecade Team.
Has served as Buccaneers Captain from 2014-21.
Has led the Buccaneers in tackles in seven times (2012-15, 2017-19) and tackles for loss five times (2012-16).
Ranks first the NFL in solo tackles (867), second in total tackles (1,220), and fifth in tackles for loss (133) among all NFL players since entering the league in 2012.
David is credited with 29 takeaways (12 interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries), the sixth-most in the NFL since 2012 and the most by any front-seven player.
One of only two players in the NFL with at least 1,000 tackles, 20.0 sacks and 10 interceptions since the start of the 2012 season (also Bobby Wagner).
Since 2012, ranks tied for second among NFL linebackers in interceptions with 12 and tied for fifth among linebackers with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, while ranking fourth among linebackers in passes defensed (54). Also during that span, ranks third among all players with 26 forced fumbles and first with 17 opponent fumble recoveries. LAVONTE DAVID INSIDE LINEBACKER HT: 6-1 WT: 233 DOB: 1/23/90 NFL: 11TH YEAR ACQ: D2, 2012
Has scored 20 points (3 TDs, 1 safety) since entering the league in 2012, tied for the 10th-most among all frontseven players. Since start of 2015 season (when David scored his first touchdown), ranks tied for 14th among all defensive players and tied for fifth among all front seven players in return touchdowns with three. x Ranks second in the league in the league forced fumbles since 2014 with 24, trailing only Chandler Jones (27).
Since joining Tampa Bay in 2012, has helped lead a defense that ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (101.0) and has allowed the lowest yards per rush in the league during that time (3.93), and tied for the second-most takeaways in the NFL (255).
His 17 career fumble recoveries are a Buccaneers franchise record.
His 149 starts are the fourth-most in Buccaneers franchise history while his 149 games played are the seventhmost in team history.
Tampa Bay's 2020 defense led the league in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and yards allowed per rush (3.60), while ranking sixth in yards allowed per play (5.12), sixth in yards allowed per game (327.1), ranking tied for second in tackles for loss (91), tied for fourth in sacks (48.0) and tied for fifth in takeaways (25).
His five fumble recoveries in 2017 are a Buccaneers single-season franchise record.
A key contributor on the Buccaneers defense in 2019, which led the league in rushing yards allowed and opposing rushing average.
Recorded first fumble recovery return touchdown when he stripped Larry Fitzgerald, scooped the football and continued 21 yards for the score, at Arizona (10/15/17)
In 2016, tied for NFL lead, and most among linebackers, with 17 tackles for loss.
Garnered Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro honors following the 2016 season.
Named to first Pro Bowl following the 2015 season when he ranked third in the league in tackles (147) and added three sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 13 passes defensed (most among NFL linebackers). 2012-21 NFL TACKLE FOR LOSS LEADERS Name (Team) TFL 1. J.J. Watt (ARI) 164 2. Aaron Donald (LAR) 150 3. Cameron Jordan (NO) 135 3. Von Miller (BUF) 15 5. Lavonte David (TB) 133 2012-21 NFL SOLO TACKLE LEADERS Name (Current Team) Solo Tackles 1. Lavonte David (TB) 867 2. Bobby Wagner (LAR) 817 3. Luke Kuechly (Retired) 690 4. Demario Davis (NO) 678 5. Harrison Smith (MIN) 635 2012-21 NFL TACKLE LEADERS Name (Current Team) Tackles 1. Bobby Wagner (LAR) 1,381 2. Lavonte David (TB) 1,220 3. Luke Kuechly (Retired) 1,092 4. Demario Davis (NO) 1,011 5. K.J. Wright (Free Agent) 924 2012-21 NFL FORCED FUMBLE LEADERS Name (Current Team) FF 1. Chandler Jones (LV) 33 2. Robert Quinn (CHI) 31 3. Lavonte David (TB) 26 3. J.J. Watt (ARI) 26 5. Von Miller (BUF) 24 112 | VETERANS Â Named Associated Press All-Pro FirstTeam following 2013 season when he ranked fifth in the NFL in both tackles (143) tackles and interceptions (5). Added a safety, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 10 passes defensed,
Tied for league lead with 14.5 run stuffs in 2013, according to STATS, Inc., and ranked third in the NFL in tackles for loss (20), behind Robert Quinn and J.J. Watt.
Ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 run stuffing outside linebacker and finished with the third-most quarterback pressures (sacks, QB hits, hurries) at the position.
Only NFL player with 125+ tackles and 6+ sacks in 2013.
In 2013 became only the second player since 1982 to record at least 7.0 sacks and five interceptions in the same season (S Dave Duerson).
In 2012, led the Buccaneers in tackles as a rookie, posting 139 tackles, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL. Also posted 112 solo tackles, the secondmost in the league.
Named to USA Today's All-Joe Team in both 2012 & 2013. x Selected to PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2012.
Only linebacker in Buccaneers history with two multiple-interception games.
Scored first career touchdown on a 20-yard interception return (Mark Sanchez) in win at Philadelphia (11/22/15).
Registered his first career interception (Peyton Manning) at Denver (12/2/12). x Notched his first career sack vs. Philadelphia (12/9/12).
Started in his NFL debut against Carolina (9/9/12).
Named captain for the eighth consecutive season.
Contributed to a Buccaneers defense that allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (20.8) and seventh-fewest yards per play (5.20) while ranking third in the NFL in rush defense (92.5 yards per game), allowing the fourth-fewest yards per pass play (5.97), recording the seventh-most sacks (47.0) and tying for the fifth-most takeaways (29).
Led the Buccaneers in tackles (11) in the season opener against Dallas (9/9), adding a quarterback hit and a pass defensed. Helped lead a defense that held the Cowboys to 60 rushing yards.
The start against Dallas was the 138th of David's career, surpassing Ring of Honor member Mike Alstott for the fifthmost starts in franchise history.
Tallied eight tackles against Atlanta (9/19) and was part of a defense that held the Falcons to 55 rushing yards on 20 attempts (2.8 avg.).
Recorded six tackles at L.A. Rams (9/26).
At New England (10/3), recorded seven tackles (one for loss) and a pass defensed. Was part of a defense that held the Patriots to -1 yards rushing - the fewest allowed in a game in Buccaneers history and the fewest allowed by any NFL team since 2007.
Tallied two tackles and a sack against Miami (10/10) before exiting with injury.
Inactive at Philadelphia (10/14) and vs. Chicago (10/24).
Returned to action at New Orleans (10/31), recording eight tackles.
At Washington (11/14), David registered 14 tackles and a forced fumble. VETERANS | 113 David's 14 tackles are his most since 2017. The fumble forced by David was recovered by teammate Antoine Winfield Jr., helping set up a Buccaneers touchdown.
Registered eight tackles and a quarterback hit against N.Y. Giants (11/22). Part of a defense that limited the Giants to 215 total yards, including 149 yards passing.
Tallied seven tackles (one for loss), one pass defensed and one fumble recovery at Indianapolis (11/28).
The start against Indianapolis was the 146th of David's career, surpassing Tony Mayberry for the fourth-most starts in franchise history.
Recorded six tackles at Atlanta (12/5).
Notched nine tackles in an overtime win against Buffalo (12/12).
Against New Orleans (12/19), registered a game-high 11 tackles (three for loss), a forced fumble and a sack. His three tackles for loss matched a single-game career best.
Part of a defense that limited the Saints to just 212 yards of offense and 3.5 yards per play.
Spent Weeks 16-18 on Injured Reserve.
Returned to action in Super Wild Card Round win against Philadelphia (1/16/22), tallying two tackles.
In the Divisional Round against Los Angeles Rams (1/23/22), recorded a game-high 11 tackles (one for loss) and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to help set up Tampa Bay's final touchdown of the game.
Started all 27 games he played in at Nebraska (2010-11), recording 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
In 2011, earned first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, CBS and ESPN.
Also earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades (coaches, media, ESPN.com, Yahoo.com, Phil Steele).
Was a finalist for the Butkus Award (Top Linebacker), semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) and semifinalist for the Lott Trophy (Top Defensive IMPACT Player) in 2011.
Named the 2011 Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and Nebraska team MVP. Â 2011 Guy Chamberlin Award Winner for his play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football team.
As a senior, led Nebraska with 133 tackles and ranked third in the Big Ten in tackles per game. Also led Nebraska in tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (5.5), interceptions (2), forced fumbles (2) and fumble recoveries (2) in 2011.
In 2010, set school record with 152 tackles.
His 285 career tackles rank fourth in school history, and most by a two-year player. x Recorded a career-high 19 tackles in one game against South Dakota State, the seventh-most in school history.
Was named first-team All-American (Rivals.com and CBS), unanimous firstteam Big 12 and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, as selected by the coaches, in 2010.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, led Fort Scott Community College (Fort Scott, Kansas) to the Junior College National Championship Game, while ranking MOST GAMES STARTED - BUCCANEERS HISTORY Name Starts 1. Ronde Barber, 1997-2012 232 2. Derrick Brooks, 1995-2008 221 3. Paul Gruber, 1988-99 183 4. Lavonte David, 2012-Pres. 149 5. Tony Mayberry, 1990-99 145 114 | VETERANS among the conference's leaders in tackles and tackles for loss.
Was named Defensive MVP of the JUCO National Championship Game.
Two-time first-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection and a Region VI All-American in 2009. During his first season at Fort Scott, led the Jayhawk Conference with 93 tackles.
Majored in criminology and criminal justice.
Attended Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida).
Won back-to-back Florida state titles in 2006 and 2007, while finishing with undefeated records both years.
Son of the late Lynette David.
Born Lavonte David on January 23, 1990, in Miami, Florida.
