Zyon McCollum Feels 'Absolutely Amazing' Confidence-Wise

McCollum made three tackles (two solo) in the Bucs’ 27-17 win, and nearly came down with an interception. He did catch the ball and kept his feet in bounds, but the receiver knocked it out last second. He’s reading the game much quicker than before. Whether it continues to be this season or future ones, McCollum is going to be a key piece to the Bucs defense. And when a player stays ready, he doesn’t need to be ready.

“I knew at some point in the season I was going to have to step up and become a starter,” Zyon McCollum said. “If you would’ve told me it was going to happen in Week 2 in the offseason, I would’ve shook my head like ‘No way.’ But that’s the game of football.

“I just had a really good week of preparation, met with a lot of our coaches, and got comfortable with the game plan. The thing I’ve been doing in the past is thinking out there, and so if I go out there and think then what is the point of preparing. I went out there [and] wasn’t think, just playing.”

Zyon McCollum Feels Ready To Take Over

Since training camp Zyon McCollum has looked like a different player for the better. He’s still just as fast as ever, but has been covering a lot more ground due to a better understanding of the defense and the speed of the NFL game. He brought that momentum from camp and the preseason, where he had an interception against Pittsburgh, into Week 1 with an exceptional work on special teams as a gunner getting down to make an open-field tackle on the returner.

Playing well on special teams has translated to playing well on defense for McCollum. But the biggest factor in McCollum’s improved play has been his confidence. One can tell he’s been hanging around Carlton Davis III because he’s starting to get a similar bravado.

“I feel absolutely amazing confidence-wise, especially going in,” Zyon McCollum said. “I knew this was a big game for me, [so] I just put pressure on myself to say [to myself], your career can go one of two ways, and this game is a really defining moment for me, especially, being the first start of my second year.

“So, I just took it and I ran with it. Me, athletically, I was always think of myself as bigger, stronger, and faster than any receiver that I’ll ever line up against, and this was just [about] truly believing that. Just knowing at the end of the day it’s me versus them, and I’m going to bet on myself every time.”

Consistency Is The Key For Zyon McCollum

Week 3 brings a brand new challenge for Zyon McCollum and the Bucs. There’s a major upgrade facing an Eagles offense that boasts Jalen Hurts at quarterback and A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at wide receiver. This is Tampa Bay’s toughest challenge yet and McCollum needs to maintain that confidence against the most difficult opponent he’ll play against.

“There’s been times in my career where my confidence is – I feel like I’m on top of the world and nothing can slow me down. And then there’s times when you go into those pits and you’re wondering. Everything just turns into water and your grasp, it slips right through.

“For me it’s just trying to find consistency in all of that. I’m okay with being consistent, I’m not okay with being confident one week and not confident the other week. Trying to find that medium and manage my way through all that is really what’s helping me now to just boom in confidence and have it actually stick.”