Former Gators linebacker spurns Lions in free agency return to Florida
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached a two-year deal with former Florida Gators linebacker Alex Anzalone on Monday, according to ESPN. The deal will become official when the NFL’s new league year begins on Thursday.
After five seasons in Detroit, Anzalone brings his veteran leadership and experience to a defense searching for stability following a disappointing 2025 campaign. After being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, the 31-year-old has started 93 games for the Saints and Lions.
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Last season, Anzalone recorded 95 tackles, which ranked 2nd on the team; he also tallied 9 pass deflections and forced 3 fumbles. His zone coverage skills, play recognition and passion made him a fan favorite in the Motor City.
A former four-star recruit under Will Muschamp, Anzalone played for Florida from 2013 to 2016. His early time with the Gators was often sullied by injury, but a breakthrough in 2016 shifted his fortunes.
A versatile defender with great instincts, Anzalone’s lateral speed and effectiveness in pass coverage made him a valuable asset to Muschamp and Jim McElwain. In his redshirt junior season, Anzalone started the Gators’ first eight games before suffering a broken forearm; during this time, he ranked third on the team in tackles with 53. Florida peaked as one of the SEC’s best defensive units during his time with the program, after which he would declare for the NFL draft.
With Tampa Bay, Anzalone projects as a depth piece that the Buccaneers will mostly utilize in the coverage scheme. His ability to communicate and diagnose quickly allows him to relieve LaVonte David in the middle and play the strong or weak-side role across from Yaya Diaby or Haason Reddick.
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Anzalone’s strengths align with head coach and former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ defensive philosophy, which expects linebackers to play multiple roles: blitzing, dropping into coverage, and rotating into coverage.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Lions lose Alex Anzalone, key defensive piece to Tampa Bay Buccaneers