Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Jamel Dean to Play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playoff Game Tonight
By Space Coast Daily // January 12, 2025
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 8 p.m. ET
2020 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame: Cocoa Tigers Football’s Jamel Dean’s Tenacity, Accomplishments Earn Him Induction into Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame. (Video aired in 2020)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Cocoa native and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Jamel Dean is set to take the field in Sunday night’s NFL Playoffs Wild Card round matchup against the Washington Commanders in Tampa.
Dean, a standout from Brevard County, has been a key player in the Buccaneers’ defense throughout the season. Known for his speed and ability to lock down opposing receivers, he has played a pivotal role in helping the team secure their playoff spot.
Jamel Dean was among former Cocoa High School head coach John Wilkinson’s best two-way players during his Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame career for the Tigers.
In 2014, Dean was selected as the Brevard County Player of the Year and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s District 12 MVP and was among the top prep cornerback prospects in the nation ranked No. 32 by 247Sports, No. 37 by Rivals and a Top 10 defensive back in the state of Florida.
Playing on back-to-back 11-2 state playoff teams for coach Wilkinson, Dean was a two-time Florida first-team Class 4A all-state pick at Cocoa High, totaling 975 offensive yards, including 22 receptions and 15 touchdowns in 2014 to earn all-state honors as a receiver.
He also had 38 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception in 2013 and also had seven pass breakups as a senior and scored nine touchdowns as a junior.
In 2013, Dean was named Friday Night Locker Room – Space Coast Daily Player of the Game for Week 9 as he had 135 return yards (68-yard kickoff return for a TD and 67-yard punt return) and 45 yards receiving. The 6-foot-1-inch, 206-pound Dean turned pro as a redshirt junior after amassing 19 career pass breakups and two picks as a two-year starter. He raised his NFL stock at the Combine with 98th-percentile SPARQ results, including 4.3-flat jets and a 41-inch vertical.
Dean was a highly-recruited prospect despite knee injuries he suffered during his prep career. He spent a semester at Ohio State and was medically disqualified to play football by Ohio State due to his suffering multiple knee injuries in high school.
He sat out 2015 and transferred from Columbus to Auburn, which cleared him to play. Dean suffered yet another knee injury in the preseason 2016 camp, which sidelined him for the year.
Finally healthy in 2017, he started 11 of 14 games for Auburn, collecting 43 stops, 2.5 for loss and eight pass breakups. He started 11 of 12 games played in 2018, recording 30 stops, two for loss, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Returning as a starter at cornerback during the 2018 season, Dean had 30 tackles and 11 pass breakups for the season – and earned SEC Academic Honor Roll and Academic Top Tiger honors, graduating with a weighted 3.8 GPA.
Dean was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2019 National Football League draft with the 94th overall pick.
Dean made his regular-season debut in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, where he recorded six tackles and four pass deflections. In Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded four pass deflections and his first career interception.
In Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, Dean recorded five pass deflections and in Week 16 Dean had one tackle, one pass deflection, and an interception. Dean finished his rookie season with 21 tackles, 17 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble and solidified himself as a rookie on the rise.
While finishing tied for second among all rookie cornerbacks in interceptions, Dean finished first in pass deflections among rookies with 17 and that number was also good for Top 5 in the NFL among all corners.
Dean joined his former Cocoa High teammates, tackle Jawaan Taylor of the Jacksonville Jaguars and cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson of the New Orleans Saints, on the 22-man 2019 Pro Football Focus NFL All-Rookie Team.
He is the son of Yolanda Kimbrough and James Dean and has four brothers including Derrick Jr., James Jr., Jamaine and Jayden. He received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts from Auburn University in May 2018.
This season, Dean recorded impressive statistics, including multiple pass breakups and interceptions, showcasing his value to the Buccaneers’ secondary. His performance has not only solidified his position as a reliable defensive back but has also made him a fan favorite among Tampa Bay supporters.
As the Buccaneers prepare for the highly anticipated game, Dean’s contributions on the field will be critical. Facing a dynamic Washington Commanders offense, the Buccaneers will rely on Dean’s experience and athleticism to help contain the opposition’s passing attack.
For Dean, playing in the playoffs holds special significance as it represents an opportunity to shine on one of the NFL’s biggest stages while also making his hometown of Cocoa proud.
The Wild Card matchup is expected to draw significant attention, and Dean’s performance will be a key storyline to watch as the Buccaneers aim to advance further in their quest for another Super Bowl title.
