The rise of Tykee Smith from promising rookie to cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense continued Sunday, as the young safety delivered another statement performance punctuated by a clutch red-zone interception in the fourth quarter of a tight game against the New England Patriots.

With the Buccaneers trailing and the Patriots threatening to score late, rookie quarterback Drake Maye rolled right and fired toward the back of the end zone. Smith read the play perfectly, undercut the route, and came away with a game-saving interception that halted New England’s drive and kept Tampa Bay within striking distance.

It was the kind of timely play that has defined Smith’s season. He finished the afternoon with eight tackles, giving him 74 total on the year.

In his 2024 rookie season, Smith primarily lined up as a nickel back, where his instincts and physicality stood out in coverage near the line of scrimmage. He totaled 54 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions in that role, quickly earning the trust of the coaching staff.

This year, Smith has made a seamless transition to full-time safety, and the results speak for themselves. His range, tackling, and anticipation have translated flawlessly to the back end of the defense, where he’s become one of Tampa Bay’s most consistent and impactful players. Through nine games, he leads the team in tackles and ranks among league leaders in passes defended.

Smith’s red-zone interception wasn’t his first clutch moment of the season. He’s made key open-field tackles, broken up deep passes, and consistently delivered in pressure situations. Head coach Todd Bowles praised Smith’s instincts, calling him “a natural playmaker who’s always around the football.”

As the Buccaneers continue their playoff push, Smith’s emergence as a dependable safety capable of changing games with one play has been one of the team’s biggest bright spots.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Tykee Smith continues his breakout season after strong Week 10