Buccaneers’ UDFA Profile: CB Javien Elliot

Another Seminole has made his way onto the Buccaneers’ roster? Has Jameis Winston once again made a case for a former teammate?

Before the start of the Buccaneers’ OTAs, or organized team activities,  they made a few more roster moves.  Pat Murray, the kicker for the Bucs’ during the 2014 season was released. A.J. Francis, a defensive tackle was signed and John Lowdermilk, a safety, decided to retire shortly into his stint in Tampa. This left the Bucs’ with two open spots on the 90 man roster. The Bucs decided to sign back Kimario McFadden – a safety who has been on and off the team throughout the past couple years – as well as a former teammate of Jameis Winston, Javien Elliot – a defensive back from Florida State, who only played one year of college ball.

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This is not the first former teammate of Winston’s who has found himself on the Bucs’ roster, but the product out of Rutherford High school in Panama City has quite the story behind him. Elliot was unfortunately left without a college offer his senior year. His father sent out tape to many colleges, one of them being Florida State. Once Florida State reached back to him, they told him his chances on playing were very slim, but before anything he needed to get his grades up. Elliot decided to turn  his full attention to do just that. He enrolled in the Tallahassee Community College and was able to earn an associate’s degree which helped him get his way into Florida State in the spring of 2014.

Elliot joined the team as a preferred walk on and proved himself to Jimbo Fisher and the staff of the Seminoles that he could play. Eventually, Elliot was offered a scholarship and he was able to play a big part of the Seminole defense in 2015.

A defensive back who stands at 5’11” and weighs only 184 pounds proved to doubters that he could play Division I ball. His redshirt senior year he finished with 37 tackles, one interception, one sack, and four tackles for a loss. Elliot was even nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top player that began their career as a walk-on.

Elliot was not only able to walk on but also able to earn a scholarship to a team who is nationally recognized for consistently good football teams. As you heard in the video, his former coach Jimbo Fisher seems to have a love for the player that has come up from nothing.  A man who used to be selling hats at Lids, simply hoping for a chance to showcase his talents, has now made his way onto the roster of the Bucs. This leaves one wondering if Jameis Winston has given any insight to Jason Licht on Elliot due to the fact that they were teammates during Elliot’s redshirt season and right before the Bucs were able to select him as their franchise quarterback.

Elliot has in no way an easy road to making the roster of the Bucs. The Bucs’ cornerback group is already loaded with talent, having now been bolstered due to the incoming of fellow rookie Vernon Hargreaves III. Should Javien Elliot be counted out? Definitely not. Upon viewing of the second video, you can see for a slight second the glimpse of a Bucs’ staff member who is running the workouts for the Seminoles.

Next: Jameis Winston Wowing In OTAs

Elliot was able to show his talents first hand to the Bucs.  He may be extremely raw, but was signed for a reason, so just remember this, all he needs is a chance.