As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for rookie mini camp, here is the list of players invited to participate.
We know the seven names right off the bat that Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will be seeing updates on as the Bucs take the field at One Buc Place to participate in rookie mini-camp later this month. There’s Vita Vea, Ronald Jones II, M.J. Stewart, Carlton Davis, Alex Cappa, Jordan Whitehead, Justin Watson, and Jake Cichy.
Beyond that, who will be donning the pewter and red as the coaches prepare to set their training camp roster? Here is the full list – as of now – of players that will participate;
Austin Allen Quarterback 6-1 209 Arkansas
Sergio Bailey Wide Receiver 6-0 186 Eastern Michigan
Cole Boozer Offensive Lineman 6-5 275 Temple
Donnie Ernsberger Tight End 6-2 237 Western Michigan
Demone Harris Defensive End 6-4 272 Buffalo
Tanner Hudson Fullback/Tight End 6-5 206 Southern Arkansas
Godwin Igwebuike Safety 6-0 212 Northwestern
Josh Liddell Safety 6-1 211 Arkansas
Trevor Moore Kicker 5-11 187 North Texas
Evan Perrizo Defensive End 6-5 275 Minnesota State
Ervin Philips Wide Receiver 5-11 179 Syracuse
Jason Reese Tight End 6-5 250 Missouri
Antonio Simmons Defensive End 6-3 246 Georgia Tech
Shaun Wilson Running Back 5-9 185 Duke
Beyond that, the Buccaneers also have an international exemption, allowing for a 91st player to be on the roster. They announced that they’ve signed Eric Nzeocha, a 25-year old linebacker out of Germany who played for the University of Wyoming.
In addition to the college free agents and camp invites, the Buccaneers also announced jersey numbers for the seven draft picks, though these could change after cuts to the roster begin.
Vita Vea – 50
Ronald Jones – 22
M.J. Stewart – 36
Carlton Davis – 33
Alex Cappa – 65
Jordan Whitehead – 31
Justin Watson – 17
Jack Cichy – 41
A lot of Buccaneers fans cringed when they saw the new running back Jones chose the number 22 to start off with, with disappointments by Doug Martin still fresh in their memories. Who know, maybe he sticks with it. However, his options were somewhat limited.
20 is off limits, Justin Evans is 21, Chris Conte is 23, Brent Grimes is 24, Peyton Barber is 25, Josh Robinson is 26, David Rivers is 27, Vernon Hargreaves is 28, and Ryan Smith is 29. Therefore, if Jones wanted to stay in the 20’s, taking over Doug Martin’s number was his only choice. Otherwise, he was looking at numbers in the 40’s as his next available option.
Next: Jason Licht Continues To Impress
Buccaneers rookie mini-camp begins May 11.