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 22-of-29 career games for Tampa Bay, compiling 153 tackles (10 for loss), 20 passes defensed, seven quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 2.0 sacks.

Has played in one career postseason contest, logging seven tackles.

Was the only player in the NFL with 100+ tackles, 10+ passes defensed and at least three takeaways in 2025.

Led all safeties with 13 passes defensed in 2025.

With his performance in 2025, Smith became the third Buccaneer since 2008 to produce a stat line of at least 100 tackles, 10+ passes defensed, five-or-more tackles for loss and 2.0+ sacks in a single season, joining Lavonte David (2013, 2015) and Antoine Winfield Jr. (2023).

Became the sixth safety since 2000 to have 150+ tackles, 20+ passes defensed, five-or-more takeaways and at least 2.0 sacks across their first two seasons, joining Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Kerry Rhodes, Landon Collins and Brian Branch.

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.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS:

Started at safety in the Week 1 victory in Atlanta, playing 74-of-76 defensive snaps and totaling a team-leading and a career-high-tying 11 tackles and one pass defensed.

In the Week 2 win at Houston, started at safety and played all 49 defensive snaps, finishing with a team-high six tackles (two for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack.

Smith's performance in Week 2 represented his first career sack and his first career game with multiple tackles for loss.

Started at safety and played all 69 defensive snaps in the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, compiling seven tackles and one pass defensed.

In Week 3, according to Next Gen Stats, Smith yielded just two receptions on five targets, limiting the Jets to a 50.4 passer rating when targeting him.

Started at safety and played 55-of-57 defensive snaps in Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, leading the Buccaneers with nine tackles, and also recording two passes defensed.

Week 4 marked Smith's third career game with multiple passes defensed – tied for the most among safeties from the 2024 draft class, and tied for fifth-most among all defenders from the 2024 draft class.

Smith was Tampa Bay's leading tackler (or tied with others for the lead) in three of the team's first four games of the season.

Per Pro Football Focus, was Tampa Bay's highest-graded starter in Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, earning an 85.8 overall grade.

Started at safety and played 59-of-61 defensive snaps in the Week 5 win at Seattle, finishing with six tackles, two passes defensed and his first career fumble recovery.

Through Week 5, Smith was one of four players in the NFL to have 20+ tackles, three-or-more passes defensed and at least 1.0 sack.

In the Week 6 win over the 49ers, started at safety and played 68-of-69 defensive snaps, totaling six tackles and his then-team-leading seventh pass defensed.

Through six weeks, Smith's seven passes defensed were tied for the fifth-most in the NFL.

Started at safety and played 64-of-68 defensive snaps in Week 7 at Detroit, finishing with a then-career-high 13 tackles (two for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack. His sack marked his second of the season.

In the Week 8 win at New Orleans, started at safety and played 70-of-72 defensive snaps, finishing with eight tackles and one pass defensed.

Started at safety and played 51-of-61 defensive snaps in Week 10 vs. New England, finishing with eight tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit, one interception and one pass defensed. His interception came in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Through 10 Weeks, Smith led all defensive backs in tackles (74), ranked tied for fourth in sacks (2) and tied for ninth among all players in passes defensed (9).

Per Pro Football Focus, Smith was Tampa Bay's highest-graded defensive starter in Week 10, earning a 76.6 overall grade.

In Week 11 at Buffalo, started at safety and played all 56 defensive snaps. Contributed five tackles and two passes defensed ­ — both of which were tipped passes that resulted in a Buccaneers interception.

Through 11 Weeks, Smith's 11 passes defensed on the year were tied for the third-most in the NFL.

Through Week 11, Smith became the first defensive back since 2023 with 75+ tackles, 10+ passes defensed, multiple sacks and at least one interception in a single season (Kyle Hamilton, Antoine Winfield Jr., Devon Witherspoon). He was also the first defensive back since Landon Collins in 2016 to record these statistics in the first 11 weeks of a season.

In Week 12 at the Los Angeles Rams, started at safety and played all 56 defensive snaps and totaled six tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and one pass defensed.

With his play in Week 12, Smith notched his 12th pass defensed of the year – the sixth-most in the NFL through 12 Weeks. He also added his sixth tackle for loss of the season – tied for the fourth-most by a defensive back through the first 12 Weeks of the season.

Started at safety and played 60-of-61 defensive snaps in the Week 13 win over Arizona, tallying two tackles and one fumble recovery.

Through Week 13, Smith was the only player in the NFL to have 75+ tackles, three-or-more takeaways, and multiple sacks.

Started at safety in Week 14 vs. New Orleans, playing 31-of-58 defensive snaps. Totaled three tackles.

Was inactive for Week 15 vs. Atlanta. In Week 16 at Carolina, started at safety and played all 54 defensive snaps, contributing four tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass defensed.

Started at safety in Week 17 at Miami, playing 26-of-55 defensive snaps and logging one tackle.

In the Week 18 win over Carolina, started at safety and played all 51 defensive snaps, contributing five 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.