In a way, the 49ers are getting lucky against the Buccaneers on Sunday. When the offense takes on Vita Vea, they’re only facing a 347-pound two-time Pro Bowler at nose tackle, and not the athletic behemoth who terrorized Bay Area high schools on both sides of the ball.
Even at 30 years old, Vea is still the latest player from Milpitas High School to make it to the NFL. Not only has he made it, but he’s thrived: He recently eclipsed 100 career games — all with Tampa Bay, and all as the keystone of the team’s defensive line.