Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bring 26 in For Pre-Draft Visits
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Update:
Auman has been able to identify 22 of the players who worked out for the Bucs yesterday. In addition to the names in the original story, these others can now be added:
Twelve USF players at Bucs' local workout: Giddins, Salinas, Shaw, Jenkins, Joyce, Montgomery, Forte, Hopkins, Hill, Eppes, Eveld, Martin.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 12, 2014
Also working out for Bucs today: Clearwater/Iowa State LB Jeremiah George, WKU's Xavius and Baree Boyd (Lakewood), Bethel's Jocquel Skinner.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 12, 2014
Original:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been bringing in a number of high profile players for workouts, including quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel.
Today however, the Bucs brought in 26 players who played either high school or college football in the local metro area. Teams are allowed to bring in 30 players for pre-draft visits, but an unlimited number of players from the metro area can be brought in for the Bucs to look at.
Usually, these kind of players are late round draft picks or free agent signings once the draft concludes.
Bucs senior writer Scott Smith confirmed the visit, but the names of those who took part were not released.
A total of 26 draft prospects from 11 schools who played high school or college ball in the Bucs' metro area worked out One Buc today.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 11, 2014
However, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times was able to dig up some names that were at One Buc Place today.
Among draft prospects at Bucs workout today: Gators OL Jon Halapio, Boston College OL Matt Patchan, USF's Ryne Giddins, Fidel Montgomery.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 11, 2014
In addition, Auman confirmed that Toledo receiver Bernard Reedy, who played high school football at Lakewood was in attendance, as was former Leto and Rutgers defensive back Jeremy Deering.
Offensive lineman Will Latu also visited today. As we reported earlier in the week, James Wilder Jr was at One Buc Place on Friday as well. The names of the other 19 players remain unknown.
It’s difficult to take much away from these visits since the players are late round draft picks, but obviously the Bucs are doing their due-diligence. Three of the seven players whose names were released were offensive lineman, a position the Bucs do need depth at.
In 2012, Leonard Johnson, who is from Clearwater but attended Iowa State, was invited for a workout similar to what was held today. He later signed as an undrafted free agent and made the Bucs opening roster that season and has morphed himself into a very good player for the Bucs in the secondary, so these visits can pay big dividends for teams.
In related news, Smith confirmed that Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr will meet with the Bucs Wednesday.
Confirming reports that Fresno State QB Derek Carr will visit One Buc Place next Wednesday. http://t.co/UT7DZah4cY
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 11, 2014