Unsung Bucs CB “Making A Push” To Earn Spot On 53-Man Roster

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The Bucs transformed their depth at a number of positions on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but if there’s one spot where they’re still frighteningly thin, it’s at cornerback.

Even coming off a down year in 2025, Zyon McCollum is Tampa Bay’s No. 1 cornerback. He’s the most experienced veteran in the group, and he’s being paid like he’s the No. 1. On the other side, the Bucs have a competition going between two second-year players, though one is still not fully back from his latest injury and the other has been limited in the last couple of practices due to some lingering soreness. The latter – Jacob Parrish – missed the team periods Sunday and Monday before returning Tuesday night.

The former – Benjamin Morrison – picked up another hamstring injury during the offseason workouts, missed mini-camp and was held out for the start of training camp. He’s slowly making his way back, but to this point, he’s only participated in individual drills.

Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

So really, the Bucs’ depth at cornerback is already being tested during camp. If anything, the first week of practices has made the need for another veteran cornerback even more glaring. Whether that means signing someone right now or waiting to scour the post-preseason roster cutdown lists at the end of this month, Tampa Bay could really used another experienced corner.

But for now, all eyes are on a pair of unproven and unsung cornerbacks who are seeing increased reps with Morrison and (to a lesser extent) Parrish sidelined.

Pepe Williams Is Catching The Bucs’ Attention Early In Camp

Of the two unsung cornerbacks vying for spots on the Bucs’ 53-man roster, rookie Ayden Garnes probably gets the edge at this stage in camp. The former Arizona Wildcat emerged as a sleeper candidate to crack the final roster relatively quickly in camp, and he’s only continued to shine with another impressive practice Thursday morning.

But don’t count out Damarion “Pepe” Williams, who spent much of the 2025 season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad and is now seeing a whole lot of opportunities in training camp. Originally a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Houston, Williams spent a couple of years in Baltimore before being waived in August of 2024.

Bucs CB Pepe Williams – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

From there, the 5-foot-10, 183-pound cornerback spent 2024 on the Seahawks’ practice squad before eventually being cut by the eventual Super Bowl champions last August. A month later, he was a Buccaneer.

In his career, Williams has played in 15 games with zero starts. He had 24 tackles (15 solo), a tackle for loss and two passes defensed in 14 games as a rookie with the Ravens, though he allowed 25 catches on 36 targets (69.4%) for 290 yards (11.6 avg.) and three touchdowns. He has played in just one game since.

Despite that, the Bucs’ current situation at cornerback has given Williams a chance at redemption. And to this point in camp, he has taken advantage of it. After losing Jalen McMillan on a deep route early on in camp, the 28-year-old corner got his revenge a couple days later. With Baker Mayfield looking deep for McMillan again, Williams was there to make a leaping pass breakup. Later in that same practice, he came up with another pass breakup deep in coverage on Emeka Egbuka.

In Tampa Bay’s practice on Thursday, Williams came in on a corner blitz and got to Jake Browning for a would-be sack.

It seems like the former Houston Cougar’s confidence is growing with each day, and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has noticed.

“He’s been playing well all camp. It’s really good to see him in pads,” Bowles said after the first padded practice Monday morning. “He’s shown up, and he’s done all the little things. Obviously, from last year being on the practice squad, he’s stepping up and making a serious push to try to make this team. It’s very early, but we’ve noticed him.”

Bucs CBs Ayden Garnes, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, Josh Hayes, Keionte Scott and Demarion Williams – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Williams will have entered camp as a longshot to make the 53-man roster. So, he’ll have to do every little thing right in order to make his case by the end of August. That means stacking good days on good days, contributing on special teams, showing up in the joint practices with the Jets and Jaguars and putting it all together under the lights during the preseason.

As Bowles said, it’s early. But as the preseason approaches, Pepe Williams’ name is one to know at cornerback.