Yaya Diaby Can’t Hide His Excitement Over Haason Reddick Joining the Bucs

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the signing of veteran pass rusher Haason Reddick, nobody on the team seemed more fired up than second-year linebacker Yaya Diaby.

The young edge rusher didn’t hold back in his excitement.

“Man, I’m super geeked to have a guy like Haason,” Diaby said during a recent interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It’s just so amazing to see how hungry he is… even though he’s up in age.”

That energy says a lot — not just about Diaby’s enthusiasm, but about how highly he regards Reddick’s presence in the Bucs’ locker room and defense.

Veteran Leadership Meets Young Potential

For Diaby, who’s coming off a breakout rookie season with 7.5 sacks and 12 QB hits, Reddick isn’t just another body in the defensive rotation — he’s a mentor, a motivator, and an established star who’s walked the path Diaby hopes to follow.

Reddick brings a resume that includes two double-digit sack seasons, Pro Bowl nods, and a reputation for relentless pass rushing. Even though his production dipped slightly last year with the New York Jets, Diaby sees a competitor who’s just as hungry now as he was when he first entered the league.

“To see how focused he still is, how he trains, how he moves — that lights a fire in the rest of us,” Diaby said. “You can just feel his presence on the field and in the room.”

A Perfect Fit in Tampa’s Front Seven

Tampa Bay’s defensive line already had some impressive pieces. Vita Vea anchors the middle. Calijah Kancey is a rising force with elite interior quickness. And now, with Reddick and Diaby coming off the edges, opposing quarterbacks are in for a long day.

Diaby knows exactly what this means for the Bucs’ pass rush. Reddick’s ability to draw double teams or force offensive lines to shift protections opens up lanes for other rushers — and that’s where Diaby plans to capitalize.

“Having a guy like that on the other side, then Calijah and Vita in the middle — man, I’m super geeked for what this team’s got in store,” he said with a laugh.

Learning From the Best

Beyond sacks and pressure stats, Diaby is focused on growth. He’s still early in his NFL journey, and having a player like Reddick in the room gives him a front-row seat to what it takes to be great — the preparation, the technique, the mindset.

He’s been watching Reddick for years, studying his tape, admiring how he turns speed into power and consistently finds ways to get to the quarterback.

“I’ve been watching him since I was in college,” Diaby said. “Now to be lining up across from him — that’s a dream come true.”

Ready to Rise

As training camp approaches, Diaby is more motivated than ever. With Haason Reddick in the fold, he’s not just ready to build on his rookie season — he’s ready to take another leap.

And if his excitement is any indication, this Bucs defense might be about to make some serious noise in 2025.