When Vita Vea was selected with the No. 12 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there were high expectations surrounding the former Washington Huskies star defensive tackle. On Wednesday, he was voted to the NFL’s Top 100 list ahead of the 2025 season for the first time.
Across his seven-year NFL career, he has more than lived up to those expectations. The two-time Pro Bowler has amassed 30.5 sacks, which ranks fourth among interior defensive linemen in franchise history, and has been an anchor of one of the league’s best run defenses.
“Since Vea became a full-time starter in 2019, Tampa Bay’s defense ranks first in rush defense (93.8 rush yards per game), first in opponent rush average (4.0), third in fewest opponent rushing touchdowns (68), second in fewest opponent yards before contact per rush (1.19), and second in sacks,” a press release on the Buccaneers’ website reads.
According to the NFL, the Buccaneers allowed a full yard more per play on the ground when Vea was off the field, compared to when he was on last season (4.7 yards per carry versus 3.7). He also totaled a career-high 47 pressures, which ranked top ten among defensive tackles in the NFL, as he racked up a career-best 7 sacks on his way to his second Pro Bowl appearance.
His athleticism and physicality in the middle of the field has helped him develop quite a reputation across the league.
“He is extremely strong, very long, and he also plays fast. He gets off the ball really good,” Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Chris Lidstrom said. “Vita’s one of the biggest humans that there is out there.”
“The best way I can describe getting hit by Vita is if you’re playing Pop Warner football and you get hit, and you land on the ball right on your stomach,” New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams added. “Literally, that’s how it feels and then for that split second you’re thinking, ‘Why am I playing this game?”