The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are finally back on the winning list as they picked up a victory over the Giants in which the rookies played a key role. The biggest rookie this season and in Week 12 was Bucky Irving, but Jason Licht now has another strong draft class in his pocket.
Every year in the NFL, rookies immediately commit to their teams and make a difference, and the Bucs have shown they can find them.
Graham Barton played well and held the center half for two weeks. This year we saw Xavier Worthy score two touchdowns on opening night. Every year, rookies make their mark on the league, and the Bucs need to continue to nail down their first-round picks.
Here are some players to keep an eye on while enjoying college football this weekend before the Bucs kick off. We'll be creating the ultimate viewer's guide to catching the best players in every time slot this weekend.
wide receiver to watch
ATHENS, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 4: Luther Burden III #3 of the Missouri Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Patrick Bryant (Illinois) vs. Northwestern on the Big Ten Network
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Luther Burden III (Missouri) vs. Arkansas on SEC Network
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Isaiah Bond (Texas) vs. Texas A&M on ABC
Tight ends
November 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
- Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Colston Loveland (Michigan) vs. Ohio State on FOX
- Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Tyler Warren (Penn State) vs. Maryland on the Big Ten Network
- Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) vs. Washington on NBC
guards
Oct. 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Daniel Cruz (51), offensive lineman Cole Hutson (54) and tight end Amari Niblack (8) celebrate after a big special teams play against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Torricelli Simpkins III (South Carolina) vs. Clemson on ESPN
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Logan Parr (SMU) vs. California on ESPN2
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Cole Hutson (Texas) vs. Texas A&M on ABC
Edge rushers to watch
Oct. 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) reacts in the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory attribution: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
- Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) vs. Michigan on FOX
- Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Tyler Barron (Miami) vs. Syracuse on ESPN
- Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) vs. Texas on ABC
Keep an eye on linebackers
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) and Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Peyton Bowen (22) tackle Houston Cougars tight end Maliq Carr (6) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Barrett Carter (Clemson) vs. South Carolina on ABC
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) vs. Auburn on ABC
Player to watch during the 7:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. time slot
- Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) vs. LSU on ESPN
Keep an eye on cornerbacks
November 16, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas Longhorns defenseman Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates after scoring against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Denzel Burke (Ohio State) vs. Michigan on FOX
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Domani Jackson (Alabama) vs. Auburn on ABC
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Jahdae Barron (Texas) vs. Texas A&M on ABC
