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Calijah Kancey

Calijah Kancey Player Profile

Summary

Calijah Kancey was selected in the 1st round (19th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers He played his college ball at Pittsburgh, where in 2022 he posted 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and becoming a Unanimous All-American. Pitt Panthers #H2P Over his Pitt career, he totaled 91 tackles, 34.5 TFL, and 16 sacks. Pittsburgh Sports Now Known for his explosive athleticism, high motor, and versatility along the defensive front, Kancey has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald. SI He is widely lauded for his work ethic, competitive nature, and ability to disrupt both the run and the pass. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Strengths

  • Explosive Athleticism: Registered a blazing 4.67-second 40-yard dash at ~280+ lbs — extremely rare for an interior DL. Pittsburgh Sports Now

  • Elite Quickness / Burst: Exceptional first-step off the snap, allowing him to penetrate gaps before blockers can set up. Steelers Depot

  • High Competency in Pass-Rush Moves: Strong hand usage (swim, club), quick counters, and ability to streak through B-gaps. Steelers Depot

  • Outstanding Leverage / Pad Level: Plays with a low center of gravity, leveraging his compact frame to generate power and avoid being overpowered. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Run-Defender / One-Gap Disruptor: Versatile — sets the edge, penetrates interior, and makes plays in run defense. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • High Motor & Work Ethic: Persistent, heavy-effort player who chases down plays and competes on every snap. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Intelligence & Versatility: His film shows he can line up in multiple front spots (3-tech, inside, even occasional shade) and adjust his rush accordingly. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Accolades & Character: Unanimous All-American, ACC DPOY, Outland/Nagurski finalist — widely respected by coaches and teammates. Pitt Panthers #H2P

Weaknesses

  • Undersized: At ~6′0″ and 280 lbs per his bio, he lacks ideal length and bulk for an every-down space-eating interior lineman. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Struggles vs. Double-Teams: Can be moved or neutralized when consistently double-teamed — anchoring is not always dominant. Field Gulls

  • Limited Power on Some Blocks: While explosive, he may lack the sheer bull strength to collapse pockets against strong, heavyweight linemen. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Pursuit / Gap-Control Risks: His aggressiveness can lead to over-pursuit, leaving run gaps if he abandons his assignment. Field Gulls

  • Counter Move Reliance: Predominantly wins with first-step and burst; his counter-move arsenal, while good, is still developing vs every type of blocker. Field Gulls

  • Durability / Size Projection: Given his frame, long-term durability as a high-usage interior rusher may be a concern, especially in run-heavy roles.

Fit & Outlook

  • Fit:
    Kancey is an ideal fit for defenses that employ one-gap, attacking fronts where interior penetration is prioritized over two-gap space-eating. He’s particularly well-suited to playing as a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme or as a heavy sub-package rusher in a 3-4 alignment. His explosiveness allows him to loop on stunts, shoot A- or B-gaps, or provide interior pressure without needing to stack-block for extended durations. A coaching staff that values high-motor, disruptiveness, and rotational pass rushers will maximize his upside.

  • Outlook:
    Kancey has all the traits of a future impact piece. If healthy, his burst, hand skills, and competing nature give him a high ceiling as a disruptive interior rusher. Over the next few years, he could establish himself as a key rotational (or even every-down) defensive tackle, particularly in sub-packages. His potential to generate pressure up the middle is especially valuable, and as he adds strength or refines his leverage, he could grow into a foundational defensive lineman. The primary risk remains his size, but with the right scheme—and strong supporting personnel—he has the profile to become a long-term playmaker and interior disruptor.