Aqib Talib explained his name was Muslim and meant “The Last To Come” when asked about its origins during his first press conference as a Buccaneer this morning.

When he posed for pictures with Tampa Bay’s Jon Gruden, the coach joked “That name means good corner, I hope.”

Tampa Bay has high hopes for Talib after selecting him 20th overall (1st round) in the NFL Draft. Talib is the player expected to eventually replace Tampa Bay Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber after he retires.

Talib is the highest cornerback ever selected by Tampa Bay. He also is only the second defensive back Tampa Bay has ever drafted in the first round.

“I’m so excited to be a Buccaneer,” Talib said. “I thank coach [Gruden] for taking me and Mr. [Bruce] Allen for taking me. It’s just wonderful, a dream come true for me, an honor to be able to start my NFL career with this team, with this defense. Having a chance to be around Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, guys like that. It’s an honor for me.”

Although Talib might be Barber’s heir apparent, he planned to stay silent in Tampa Bay’s meeting rooms and learn from the All-Pro cornerback.

“I watch football, pay attention to all the corners in the league and Ronde Barber is one that I pay attention to,” Talib said. “His name comes up when my friends and me start talking about the best corners in the league.”

Talib arrived in Tampa Sunday night around 11 after being delayed in Texas. Bucs defensive back coach Raheem Morris picked Talib up from Tampa International Airport last night before taking him to his hotel room.

After a brief rest, Talib was all smiles during while speaking to the Tampa Bay media. He even played receiver at Kansas and joked about playing both ways here.

“It’s been all smiles for me,” Talib said. “I don’t need sleep. I don’t need nothing. It’s just a dream come true for me. I don’t want to wake up.”

Talib (6-foot-1 and 205 pounds) ranks second in Kansas history with 13 career interceptions and first in school history with 322 yards via interception returns. In 34 career games, Talib recorded 162 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 43 passes defensed. He also caught nine passes for 224 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.

Now “The Last To Come” is ready to reward Tampa Bay for chosing him first.

“We played kind of a Tampa 2 [defense], a form of the Tampa 2 in Kansas, so I got experience playing Cover 2,” Talib said. “I know that’s the base coverage here, so I think it will be all right. I think it’s a great situation for me.”