The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added two more accolades to their 2019 collection as rookies Devin White and Sean Murphy-Bunting have been selected to Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team.
White, the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, got off to a slow start first being hampered with tonsilitis before the season opener. Then, he suffered a knee sprain on the sixth play in the Buccaneers’ second game the following Thursday night in Carolina.
The former LSU star would miss the next three games before returning in Week 6 and recording eight solo tackles with one tackle for loss while helping to limit the NFL’s all-purpose yardage leader Christian McCaffery to just 31 yards rushing on 22 carries.
Despite missing nearly a quarter of the season, White still managed an impressive level of productivity in his rookie campaign. Overall, he finished with 91 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and five more QB hits.
His penchant for splash plays followed him to the NFL as he finished with three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, an interception, five passes defended, and two touchdowns.
White was nominated for Rookie of the Week three times while winning Defensive Rookie of the Month in December.
Murphy-Bunting, too, had a quiet start to his pro career. The 39th overall selection from the 2019 NFL draft totaled just 14 snaps through the first four games of the season.
However, once he forced his way onto the field, he immediately made his presence felt by intercepting a Teddy Bridgewater pass intended for Alvin Kamara in the first quarter. He also registered three tackles and a pass breakup.
He would get his first career start the following week en route to starting in nine of the team’s final 10 games, primarily being deployed as the team’s nickel corner.
On the season, the former Central Michigan Chippewa registered 43 tackles, eight passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble, and one tackle for loss.
He also led the Buccaneers with three interceptions including one that was returned for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in what was essentially a homecoming game for the Michigan native.
The 71-yard scamper not only quashed a late Lions’ rally but also, along with eight tackles, earned him a nomination for Pepsi Rookie of the Week.
