Another 1st rounder for Pitt: Calijah Kancey goes to Buccaneers 19th overall
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When Calijah Kancey was chosen 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, Pitt could boast of first-round choices in consecutive drafts for the first time in 15 years.
Kancey joins quarterback Kenny Pickett who went 20th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. Defensive back Darrelle Revis and offensive lineman Jeff Otah were chosen in the first round by the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, respectively, in 2007 and 2008.
A Miami native, Kancey is returning to his home state.
Welcome to Tampa Bay, @Ckancey8! ????????#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/aZvFzqJFJq
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 28, 2023
Kancey, a unanimous All-American defensive tackle, has been compared to three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, prompting a question for Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht Thursday night.
“I’m not comparing him to Aaron Donald. That’s not fair,” Licht said. “I’d say he’s more like John Randle (six-time All-Pro defensive tackle).”
Smiling, Licht said he was joking. He doesn’t want to put that kind of pressure on his young player.
But Licht has been impressed with Kancey for a long time.
“We liked him from the beginning,” he said. “He’s a super disruptive interior player that you can, actually, play outside a little bit, too. I know our coaches are excited about all the different things you can do with a player like this just because of his elite athleticism, quickness, super intelligent.
“This day and age it’s hard to find interior pass rushers. They are very few and far between. Hopefully, we got one.”
Licht said he believes Kancey also can be a factor in the Bucs’ run defense.
“We do think that he has strength and he does have power and he does have ability to hold up in (the middle of the line).”
After Licht spoke with Kancey, he turned over the phone to Bucs coach Todd Bowles, who said he remembered watching Kancey play in high school when he helped Northwestern High School in Miami beat Jesuit in the state semifinals.
“Glad to have you aboard,” Bowles told Kancey. “Can’t wait for you to get here.”
Answered Kancey: “I can’t wait to get there, coach.”
Kancey, who is Pitt’s first unanimous All-American defensive tackle since Donald in 2013, overcame a perceived lack of height to become one of the most coveted players in college football. He was chosen the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after the 2022 season.
Kancey corrected the height slight at Pitt’s Pro Day on March 29 when he measured 6-foot-1, 283 pounds.
“I surprised a lot of people. The 6-1 is not fake,” Kancey said that day.
Weeks before Pitt’s Pro Day, Kancey ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.67 seconds, the best there for a defensive tackle since Donald’s 4.68 in 2014.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Kancey has developed in many ways since he was a freshman in 2019.
“On the field, off the field, socially,” Narduzzi said. “When you talk about motor and consistency, that might be the place where he’s most improved from when he was a baby (freshman) and he could do it a play and take a couple off.
“Now, he does it all (the time). It’s natural.”
THE PICK IS IN‼️‼️ the @Buccaneers got a GREAT one!! Congrats @Ckancey8…. EARNED pic.twitter.com/1qZm8spbs4
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) April 28, 2023
Narduzzi said Kancey’s height never was an issue at Pitt.
“Sometimes, those bigger guys get knocked off the ball quicker,” he said. “He’s played big. This is big-boy football. We don’t worry about size, ever.”
One of only 13 players in Pitt history named All-American unanimously, Kancey collected 14 1/2 tackles for a loss and 7 ½ sacks while playing 11 of Pitt’s 13 games in 2022.
While earning his second consecutive All-ACC distinction, he led the nation’s interior defenders in TFLs.
Kancey is the 27th Pitt player drafted in the opening round, and he joins Hugh Green (1981) as Panthers drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round.
“I feel awesome. I’m ready!”
The call that made @CKancey8 the newest member of the @Buccaneers #H2P » @NFLDraft » @NFL pic.twitter.com/0FfmuV0O9c
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 28, 2023
“Our entire program is bursting with pride right now for Calijah,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement Thursday night. “This young man has absolutely earned all that comes with this night. Here’s a Miami kid who didn’t receive an in-state Power 5 offer, comes up to Pitt and ends up being a unanimous All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting a great player and even better person.”