Better than the Legion of Boom. That’s the buzz from the Seahawks’ division rival in Glendale, Arizona anyways. The Arizona Cardinals’ secondary has been predicted to be as good, if not better, than the Seahawks ‘Legion of Boom’ secondary.

Part of the reason why the Cardinals secondary has received a lot of praise, is the addition of their new safety Deone Bucannon. The 6-foot-1, 211 pound safety made his presence known in the Pac-12 Conference after recording 384 tackles during his four years at Washington State University.

Just four months ago, Bucannon was selected No. 27 in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cardinals.

At WSU, Bucannon was known for his intimidating hits. His physical presence was daunting to anyone on the other side of the ball, and his presence caused offenses to think twice about trying to throw short passes over the middle.

He was a first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 member in 2013. His six interceptions last season were tied for the most in the conference, and his 144 total tackles were first in the conference.

Those statistics, as well as his reputation as a physical defender, make Bucannon seem like a likely candidate to be the next Kam Chancellor or Earl Thomas.

In fact, Bucannon’s college statistics are better than Chancellor’s or Thomas’. Bucannon recorded six interceptions his senior year, while Chancellor picked off two balls during his senior year at Virginia Tech. Earl Thomas had 65 tackles during his senior year at Texas, while Bucannon had 114 tackles in his final year with the Cougars.

One player certainly doesn’t make a prominent defense, but the youth that Bucannon brings to a secondary with a solid foundation creates a very impressive look.

Although the Cardinals have only won one of the pre-season games that they have played, Bucannon has been a key player to the Arizona defense.

Bucannon received playing time in all four Cardinals’ pre-season games and recorded fifteen tackles combined.

His impressive showing in the pre-season has earned him a spot in the top of the depth chart for the strong safety position, and likely a spot on the starting line up at strong safety.

“That’s the biggest thing, if I want to get on the field, if I want to be an effective player, I have to understand that,” Bucannon said in an interview on The Bickley and Marotta Show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I have to get out there, understand my assignments, hit the right gaps, fill the right gaps for whoever to make the play, or maybe for me to make the play.”

If he can adjust to the stricter rules on where and how a defender can hit receivers, he will be a powerful tool on defense for the Cardinals.

The coaches have already emphasized the penalty factor with him during training camp, and he is aware of the changes that he will have to make to use his physicality to help and not hinder the team.

“I’ve got to understand who I’ve got to hit the right way, the proper way, to affect my team in a positive way, and that’s my goal, and I want to be a positive influence on the team every single day. I wouldn’t want to hurt my team in any way,” Bucannon said.

With time Bucannon will hone his technique to fit within the NFL rules, and when he does offenses will have more to fear than just the Seahawks secondary.

The former WSU strong safety is still young, but it is just a matter of time before Bucannon earns a spot among the position’s greats like Troy Polamalu, and the godfather of intimidation and intelligence at the safety position, Ronnie Lott.

It’s only a matter of time before Bucannon becomes a household name across the nation.