YaYa Diaby says 'people are asleep' on Bucs defense: 'We're going to really wake a lot of people up'

People underestimated the Buccaneers last season.

YaYa Diaby thinks doubters are in for a similar wake-up call in 2024, especially with all the talent on the defensive side of the ball.

“It’s great, man, having guys like Calijah (Kancey) with me, you got Logan Hall, even Vita (Vea) — he’s a vet, but you know you’ve got to love Vita,” Diaby told Rhett Lewis at the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony this weekend. “You’ve got Joe (Tryon-Shoyinka), and all the young guys, and we just got Chris Braswell, and it’s just awesome, man. I just feel like a lot of people are asleep on Tampa’s defense, but I feel like this year, we’re going to really wake a lot of people up.”

The Buccaneers defense played a crucial role in Tampa Bay’s unexpected three-time NFC South victory last season. However, due to their strategy of bending but not breaking, they may not receive the appreciation they deserve.

Diaby and his team were among the bottom ten in terms of yielding yards, but they consistently improved as the field shortened, ranking them seventh in the NFL for fewest points allowed.

If the Bucs manage to limit the yards in this round, they could indeed create a stir that grabs people’s attention.

The players Diaby highlighted for praise were all at the pass-rushing level, where Shaquil Barrett will noticeably be absent this season after five years with the team.

Vea will be positioned at nose tackle, flanked by Kancey and Hall. Diaby, along with teammates such as Tryon-Shoyinka, will take up the edge. Tryon-Shoyinka has to demonstrate his worth after his fifth-year rookie option was turned down. Similarly, Braswell, a second-round pick, will be aiming to prove his value from the outset of his rookie contract.

All the previously mentioned players, with the exception of Vea, are young enough to not have been around for the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV win. However, they are well aware of Tampa Bay’s recent string of success in their division and are eager to continue this trend.

This particularly applies to Diaby. Even though he only started seven games as a rookie still finding his footing, he led the team with 7.5 sacks in 2023. He has utilized the offseason to gear up for the strain of becoming a more regular player, optimistic that he can expand on the exceptional groundwork he’s laid to further aid the Bucs in their unexpected success.

“I’m really thrilled. I’ve transformed my body so that I can play more and participate more,” said Diaby. “The personal growth I’ve witnessed during these past few weeks of OTAs is what’s truly exciting for me, including my improved ability to pick up on things. As a rookie last year, I was often in my own head, trying to navigate Coach Bowles’ defense – a daunting task for any newcomer. But now, going into my second year, I’m brimming with confidence. Just discussing it revs me up because of how prepared I feel.”