The Buccaneers third-round draft pick, Kendell Beckwith, had 124 solo tackles in 44 games with LSU and 24 and half of those were for losses. In addition to being a tackling machine, he can get to the quarterback and defend against the pass.
In those 44 games with the Tigers, he had also recorded 8 pass defends, an interception for a touchdown, three forced fumbles and three recovered to go along with 7 and a half sacks. If his former/current teammate, Kwon Alexander, is any indication of what LSU linebackers can produce in the NFL, then Beckwith should make the team with ease and could become an instant impact on the team’s defense.
However, Beckwith is currently recovering from an ACL tear and not expected to participate in OTAs until training camp. But that doesn’t seem to have him or the team’s coaches worried. As a matter of fact, it seems that the rookie linebacker is feeling pretty confident in his abilities and will play whatever position the coaches need. He will compete with Devante Bond, who missed his rookie season with a hamstring injury.
Beckwith is 6’2 – 243 lbs and that means he is bigger than most linebackers on the Bucs and many say he is fast, mean, and can hit. Theoretically, Beckwith could jump over players into a starting position, much like Alexander had in his rookie season, but if that doesn’t happen, then he is willing to play other positions in the defense like a Sam linebacker or safety. He is confident in his skills and in his ability to make this football team.
