Aaron Donald is coming to Tampa Bay. Well, kinda.
The Buccaneers grabbed Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey with pick No. 19 in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday. And while nearly all first-round picks garner wishful comparisons to NFL superstars, Kancey's similarities to the Rams' three-time Defensive Player of the Year are uncanny.
At No. 19, the #Bucs with a shocker: It's #Pitt DT Calijah Kancey. Is he the next Aaron Donald?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2023
Aaron Donald Calijah Kancey pic.twitter.com/HvQZ8F2dLM
— Overtime (@overtime) April 28, 2023
Aside from both measuring 6-foot-1, both roughly 285 pounds and both recording 40-yard-dash times within .01 seconds of each other, Kancey and Donald's college career paths were nearly identically legendary.
Both played DT at Pitt, were unanimous All-Americans and named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. And now, both are first-round picks.
Kancey revealed on Good Morning Football that Donald has been a "great mentor" and "big brother" to him during his time at Pitt. He also reminisced on his first time meeting the Super Bowl champion and "playing it cool" when asking for a picture.
The legacy Continues #H2P @AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/DdwBSa5cxC
— Calijah Kancey (@Ckancey8) April 13, 2019
Kancey remains flattered by the Donald comparisons, but is set on making a name for himself.
"It's great to be compared to a guy like that and that caliber, but at the end of the day, I'm Calijah Kancey," the 22-year-old said after being drafted.
Video: Bucs rookie Calijah Kancey says he appreciates any parallels to Aaron Donald, but he’s focused on making a name for himself in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/Lf7eneX0aD
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 28, 2023
While the Bucs still face holes on the offensive line and in the secondary, Kancey should prove to be a force to reckon with as he teams up with Pro Bowler Vita Vea in Tampa Bay's defensive trenches. The Bucs should no longer feel quite as desperate to resign veterans Akiem Hicks and Will Gholston.
No pressure on the kid, though.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!