Joe chose one player to write about after spending the whole weekend watching dozens of hours of college game footage of Tampa Bay’s tryout players—even allowing a platter of Hooters Buffalo Shrimp to go cold.
He now has a contract, too.
A rookie running back from the University of Kentucky, Ramon Jefferson is one of two Bucs tryout players who was signed to a contract to be included in the team’s extended offseason squad.
The other is Central Arkansas and Ouchita Baptist universities’ pride, cornerback Andrew Hayes.
Former University of Maine head coach Liam Coen, the new offensive coordinator for the Bucs, mentored Jefferson during his formative years.
He then transferred to Sam Houston State and, in 2022, the University of Kentucky, where he continued to suffer injuries and was once again coached by Coen.
Jefferson blew out his knee in Week 1 of the 2022 season, forcing him to miss the remainder of the Kentukcy season. The ACL rehab was exceptionally lengthy.
Jeffereson saw little usage in the previous campaign (28 carries for 184 yards). Nonetheless, against Alabama, the 5-9, 200-pound New York City player scored a touchdown with a 74-yard rush.
Joe has a constant fascination with rookie running backs. They are a wild card, and there’s a good chance fans may get to see Jefferson during the preseason if he can make it through the spring.
He will go up against the Bucs’ roster of seasoned players, as well as rookie fourth-round selection Bucky Irving and fellow undrafted free agent D.J.
