USF had its Pro Day yesterday and the Buccaneers were sure to be in attendance as their apparent interest in running back Marlon Mack grows.
We all know the Buccaneers have a big need at running back. In fact, it’s probably their biggest need along with safety come draft weekend. All the hype and speculation has Bucs fans clamoring for FSU’s Dalvin Cook or Stanford’s Christian McCaffery. However, there is someone in the Bucs’ own backyard that they appear to have a growing interest in; USF’s Marlon Mack.
Mack finished his career at USF as their all-time leading rusher with 3,609 yards on 586 attempts – an average of 6.2 yards per carry. He also finished with 32 rushing touchdowns as well as one receiving touchdown and 4,107 total yards from scrimmage.
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Impressive, no?
Some will point to the level of competition Mack faced as the reason his numbers are so good, but he has the tools and tangibles that can allow him to develop into a starting running back in the NFL.
The Bucs appear to agree.
Mack has visited with the Bucs “a lot” according to Joe Bucs Fan who spoke with Mack at the combine. Given that Mack is within the Bucs’ turf, there is no limit as to how many times Mack can come in to the facility to speak with coaches and front office executives and he does not count as one of their thirty allotted visits.
Mack told media at the USF Pro Day that it would be “great to stay here in Tampa”. USF and the Bucs even had a fun little exchange on Twitter;
Hey @TBBuccaneers 😉😉 https://t.co/D2D7j21NAh
— USF Athletics (@USFAthletics) March 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/TBBuccaneers/status/844565380370714624
Mack does seem to be quickly becoming a hot name associated with the Buccaneers as the depth at running back would allow the Bucs to get Mack on day two so they can focus on one of the top end safeties in round one should the draft play out that way.
Trevor Sikkema spoke with WDAE about the Bucs and Mack this morning (audio below) and told them the Bucs’ interest level is “pretty high”.
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The Buccaneers are guaranteed to take a running back at some point in this draft. It seems as though their interest in Mack may mean it won’t be on day one.