Tykee Smith

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected by the Buccaneers as a third- round pick (89th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected by the Buccaneers as a third- round pick (89th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Has started 6-of-13 career games for Tampa Bay, compiling 53 tackles (four for loss), seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two quarterback hits.

Was 1-of-5 players with three-or-more forced fumbles and two-or-more interceptions in 2024, joining Jessie Bates III, Zaire Franklin, Eric Kendricks and Fred Warner. He became the first rookie to accomplish the feat since 2018.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS:

Made his NFL debut in the Week 1 victory over Washington, playing 40-of59 defensive snaps and finishing with two tackles.

Started at nickel cornerback in the Week 2 victory at Detroit — while battling the flu — and finished with seven tackles (one for loss). Also added one special teams tackle.

Played 41-of-68 defensive snaps in Week 3 vs. Denver, logging six tackles (one for loss) and one pass defensed.

In the Week 4 victory over Philadelphia, played 45-of-57 defensive snaps and tallied one tackle and one quarterback hit.

Played 86-of-87 defensive snaps in Week 5 at Atlanta, totaling a team-high and a then-career-high 11 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed. It marked his first career forced fumble.

Played 42-of-70 defensive snaps in the Week 6 win over New Orleans, finishing with five tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble, one quarterback hit and one interception. His forced fumble resulted in a 58-yard scoop-and-score by Antoine Winfield Jr.

In Week 6, Smith was targeted seven times, yielding just two receptions for 19 yards and a passer rating of 0.0, according to Next Gen Stats.

Per Pro Football Focus, Smith's 89.0 overall defensive grade ranked second among all cornerbacks in Week 6. His 89.0 grade registered as Tampa Bay's highest-graded defensive player in the Week 6 win.

Through six weeks, Smith boasted a stat line that included: 4 passes defensed, 2 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 QB hits, 1 interception. He became the first rookie to hit that stat line in a season since 2020, and he accomplished the feat in just six games.

Played 14 defensive snaps in Week 7 vs. Baltimore before leaving with injury.

Was inactive for Week 8 vs. Atlanta.

Started in Week 9 at Kansas City, playing 72-of-85 defensive snaps and posting nine tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.

With his performance in Week 9, Smith became the third rookie since 2022 with three-or-more forced fumbles in a season and the first rookie since Atlanta's A.J. Terrell in 2020 with three-or-more forced fumbles and one-or-more interceptions in a season.

Through 9 Weeks, Smith's three forced fumbles were tied for the third-most in the NFL and most among rookies.

Through 9 Weeks, was one of three players in the NFL with three-or-more forced fumbles and five-or-more passes defensed, joining Atlanta's Jessie Bates III and San Francisco's Fred Warner.

Was inactive for Weeks 10-13.

Played 43-of-67 defensive snaps in the Week 14 win over Las Vegas and logged three tackles, two passes defensed and an interception in Sunday's win, marking his second interception of the season.

Through 14 weeks, Smith was one of three players with two-or-more interceptions and three-or-more forced fumbles this season, along with Atlanta's Jessie Bates and San Francisco's Fred Warner.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith was Tampa Bay's highest-graded player in Week 14, earning a 90.9 overall defensive grade. His 90.9 mark represented the highest figure of any defensive back in Week 14.

Started at nickel corner in the Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, playing 43-of-52 defensive snaps and recording one tackle.

In Week 16 at Dallas, started at nickel cornerback and played 44-of-60 defensive snaps. Finished with three tackles (one for loss).

Played 41-of-47 defensive snaps in the Week 17 win over Carolina, tallying three tackles (one for loss). x In the Week 18 victory over New Orleans, played 44-of-66 defensive snaps and logged two tackles.

Finished his rookie campaign with 53 tackles (four for loss), seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two quarterback hits.

Among rookies with at least 200 targets, Smith's -14.4 EPA (expected points added) when targeted was the fifth-best mark in the NFL. in 2024.

In the Wild Card round against Washington, played 60-of-73 defensive snaps and tallied seven tackles.

COLLEGE:

Appeared in 50 career games between West Virginia University (2019-20) and the University of Georgia (2021-23), recording a combined 212 tackles, (21.5 for loss), 12 passes defensed, eight interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Was a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion with the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2021-22 seasons.

As a redshirt senior in 2023, he appeared in 14 games for the Bulldogs, recording 70 tackles (8.5 for loss), six passes defensed, four interceptions, and 2.0 sacks. He was subsequently named second-team All-SEC.

During his redshirt junior season in 2022, he played in 14 games and logged 28 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble.

Only appeared in one game with the Bulldogs during the 2021 season due to injury.

In 2020 at the University of West Virginia, Smith received All-America recognition and second-team All-Big 12 honors after he appeared in 10 games and finished with 61 tackles (8.0 for loss), five passes defensed, and two interceptions.

During his first season at West Virginia, Smith was named to the freshman All-American team after appearing in 12 games and logging 53 tackles (2.5 for loss), four passes defensed, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble and 1.0 sack

PERSONAL:

Attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Participated in the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl.

Led his high school team to three straight conference championships and Class 4A state runner-up finishes across his final three seasons.

He was a two-time team captain in high school.

Has four siblings (three brothers, one sister).

Has one daughter, named Zyla.