EDGE prospect Jaylon Ferguson to visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yet another prospect is set to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the pre-draft process moves on and the 2019 NFL Draft less than one month away.

According to Mike Garofolo, yet another draft hopeful is set to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Louisiana Tech edge rusher Jaylon Ferguson is set to meet with the team. This is now seven of the 30 prospects that the Bucs can bring in for pre-draft meetings prospects Maryland safety Darnell Savage, Mississippi State products Montez Sweat and Johnathan Abram, Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford, and the two linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush all confirmed to meet in Tampa Bay.

Ferguson finished his time at Louisiana Tech with a highly decorated career, including the title belt for most career sacks in NCAA history. He tallied a career total of 45 sacks in four seasons and also recorded 67.5 tackles for loss in that span.

In 2018, Ferguson was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year after recording 17.5 sacks, 26 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and two forced fumbles. He then went to the Senior Bowl and put together a productive week in Mobile.

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The talented pass rusher, however, was not allowed to test at the combine due to an incident of assault when he was 18 years old. He was allowed to measure in at the combine though, and he came in at 6’5 and 271 pounds with 34½ inch arms. To add insult to injury, he did not perform as well as he had hoped at his pro day as well.

At his pro day, Ferguson mustered up a 4.82 40 yard dash, a 32 inch vertical jump, less than 10 feet on his broad jump, and a horrendous 8.08 seconds on his 3-cone drill. While he has great film and production, these type of testing numbers could hurt him.

The Louisiana Tech pass rusher’s draft stock remains a relative mystery. While he was considered a fringe first rounder before he tested, Ferguson looks like a day-two lock and should not see himself fall too far into the third round at the latest.

Ferguson could be in play with the 39th overall pick for Tampa Bay or potentially in the third round if he falls that far. Needing some help for Shaquil Barrett off of the edge, Ferguson is firmly on the radar of the Buccaneers.