[](https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/parrish-1125.jpg)How good is Bucs cornerback Jacob Parrish?
Joe heard directly from a former NFL defensive player after Bucs practice.
This was last week up in New Jersey. Speaking after a Jets-Bucs joint practice that featured a lot of 11-on-11 work from the first teams, retired defensive lineman Leger Douzable was all about Parrish.
The CBS Sports analyst had talked privately will Bowles that afternoon. Douzable played for Bowles with the Jets, and he keeps an extra eye on the Bucs after growing up in Tampa (Alonso High School).
Joe and Douzable were having a private discussion about the evolution of the Bucs defense and Douzable said he expects the Bucs to play less zone defense this season.
“Me and Bowles were talking about this, Jacob Parrish, I love that kid,” Douzable said. “He is going to be a star-in-waiting for the Bucs. His versatility on the inside and outside for the Bucs is out of this world. And I think he’s a guy that’s going to step in and kind of break out this year for the Bucs in the secondary.”
Pretty cool. Douzable brought up Parrish after just studying him, and Joe didn’t even mention a player.
The Bucs absolutely need that “break out” year Parrish that Douzable noted. Without it, well, Joe doesn’t want to think about it.