Bussin’ With The Boys | Ep. 363 |

Lavonte David: Most Underrated Linebacker In NFL History + Nebraska Stories w/ Will Compton

Release: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Bussin’ With The Boys is a mix of classic bus banter and a deep, candid conversation with Lavonte David—veteran linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nebraska legend, and according to the boys, maybe the most underrated linebacker in NFL history. The show opens with Will Compton, Taylor Lewan, and the crew catching up after a busy travel and gambling-filled playoff weekend, regaling mishaps, hilarious moments, and friend drama. The centerpiece is a wide-ranging, real talk interview with David about his improbable football journey from Miami to JUCO, Nebraska, and the NFL, reflections on what’s left to prove, his stats vs. recognition, and classic college stories with Will. High energy, brotherly roasting, and plenty of honesty throughout.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Weekend Recap: Gambling, Travel, & Chaos

• Celebrating wins & critiquing greed: The boys recount their recent sports betting adventures in Vegas, including big wins, ensuing losses, and Taylor’s “tunnel of chaos” (06:05).

  "It was my own greed. What are we out here chasing? ... Maybe I need to take a step back on heavy gambling when I'm there by myself."
  —Taylor Lewan, 06:05

• Wild “giveaways” and street fun: The crew did $1,000 street giveaways during their Vegas trip, making for memorable content and moments with unsuspecting fans (09:00).

• Travel logistics gone awry: Will details their cross-country college football game tour, highlighting poor communication in the crew that left them exhausted and missing good meals (17:00-29:54).

2. Nebraska & Football Brotherhood Stories

• Miscommunication with Josh Pate: The boys debate if Pate’s lack of communication about travel plans makes him a “selfish friend,” ultimately concluding the only sin is lack of communication (27:00).

• College football atmospheres: The crew gives a loving look at Nebraska, tough road trips, and football culture, even poking fun at rivalries and classic Nebraska travel meals.

3. Interview: LAVONTE DAVID

A. Early Life & JUCO Survival

• Growing up in Miami: David opens up about being a late varsity starter in a story-filled Miami program packed with future D1 and NFL talent (89:15).

• JUCO nightmares & resilience: Describes quitting on first day at Fort Scott due to “insane” conditioning, being cussed out by coaches, and almost becoming a firefighter before recommitting.

  "4 220s, 16 110s, and 2000s... On the second 220, I passed out... I just basically like, man, this—I'm gone."
  —Lavonte David, 74:17

• Self-recruiting: Reveals he ultimately reached out to schools himself, only learning as a pro about power programs who wanted him (92:55).

B. Nebraska Days & Will Compton Connection

• Climbing the depth chart: David recounts starting as a 4th-stringer in Nebraska's fall camp, only starting after a rash of injuries—including Will’s (101:33).
• Locker room bonds: The guys recall film sessions, off-field antics (catching Lavonte singing R&B), and being each other’s hype men.

C. NFL Career: Underrated Legend

• Decision on coming back (Year 15?):

  "Honestly, truly, I'm not really thinking about football. I'm not. I'm not thinking about retirement. I'm not thinking about playing. ...I took my daughter to school this morning. That felt amazing. So I'm just locked in on that now."
  —Lavonte David, 125:01

• Physical toll & pride: David highlights the grind of 14 NFL seasons, self-doubt with injuries, and not wanting to stick around if he can't play "at a high level" (127:34).

• Recognition vs. reality: Despite epic numbers (1500+ tackles, 40 sacks, 10 INTs—a feat matched only by Ray Lewis), David explains how lack of team success and his position led peers to more All-Pros and Pro Bowls than he ever received.

  "Every time I played on Sunday, I was a factor on the field...I feel like you know when people do go back and look...just shows that, you know, I was an impact when I played the game."
  —Lavonte David, 133:52

• Aspirations:

  "What would I do anything for? I’d do anything to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer, man."
  —Lavonte David, 136:26

• Legacy & Motivation: David was never “the guy” early, didn’t expect help, and always played with a chip on his shoulder.

  "I was hard-headed man...My whole thing was just, you know, I just wanted to have a 2.0 GPA to play football."
  —Lavonte David, 83:02

• Most underrated LB ever?:

  "You might go down as the most underrated football player of all time."
  —Taylor Lewan, 131:03
  Will runs through the rare combo stats, comparing David directly to Ray Lewis.

D. Classic College & Team Stories

• Will and Lavonte share stories: nicknames (“Boogie”), Miami nights, Nebraska “beep tests,” Vine video pranks, Will’s alter-egos.
• Lavonte's “boogie man” persona—a pit bull with a heart—contrasts his quiet, homebody off-field lifestyle.

E. Final Reflections & Hall of Fame Talk

• The boys and Lavonte shout out the greats (Luke Kuechly, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman) and reflect on what makes a difference-maker.
• Lavonte credits the Nebraska years and coaching for shaping his mental game.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Taylor’s Gambling Come-to-Jesus:
  "Maybe I need to learn how to enjoy gambling again. Not just going in like blitzkrieg mode ... Like, let's have a little fun." (09:31)

• Lavonte on JUCO:
  "I had never lost when I was a starter... never thought I'd quit football. ...That whole process just humbled me and helped me understand how important school was." (74:17, 83:02)

• Will on recognizing 'Boogie':
  “He’s got some pit bull tendencies... I always wanted a pit bull… I got one, it was Boogie. So Boogie’s name was Boogie because, you know, a lot of reasons out there, the fellows out there that are breaking that down…” (69:01)

• On motivation:
  “Every time I played on Sunday, I was a factor on the field, and that's the only thing that mattered.” (133:52)

Key Timestamps

• Weekend/Bets & Travel Recap: 04:06–14:46
• Nebraska game travel stories, Josh Pate drama: 17:00–29:54
• Ray Lewis & Michael Phelps incident: 30:03–36:00
• Nebraska stories / College Football talk: 36:37–48:45
• Comedy, Stand-up recap: 51:49–54:05
• Spicy “Tear Talk” & couple traditions: 59:15–62:35
• Lavonte David interview begins: 65:48
  • First meeting, early career: 66:07–73:26
  • Miami/High school & JUCO grind: 73:26–89:15
  • Nebraska days, breaking through: 99:51–116:32
  • NFL journey, proving himself: 124:41–137:08
• Hall of Fame, legacy, Kuechly/Willis admiration: 137:14–138:14

Podcast Tone

Loyal, brash, self-deprecating, and caring. The boys joke, roast, and reminisce with real affection, switching seamlessly from jokes about gambling and bodily functions to genuinely moving sports life stories.

Useful for Listeners

• Chronicles Lavonte David’s overlooked but remarkable football journey, and his mindset after 14 grueling NFL seasons.
• Offers inside perspective on the realities behind athletic recognition, stats, and self-perception.
• Laced throughout are laugh-out-loud moments and the camaraderie that makes Bussin’ With The Boys a unique NFL player-centric podcast.

Final Word: If you want the raw, hilarious, and heartfelt story of one of the NFL’s most underappreciated legends—both his rise and his values—this episode delivers. “Boogie” David’s humility, competitive fire, and gratitude shine, and the bus is packed with stories only real teammates can tell.