Former Big Ten Standout Projected to Make Buccaneers as UDFA

If there was ever a time for an inside linebacker to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, 2025 might be it.

The Buccaneers have an aging star at the position in Lavonte David — the 35-year-old is a 4-time Pro Bowler who managed to put the defense on his back and save the 2024 season.

Beyond that, there’s an injury-prone player probably down to his last shot in SirVocea Dennis and a free agent on a minimal investment with Anthony Walker Jr., who Tampa Bay signed to a 1-year, $1.4 million free agent contract.

That opens the door for a player like former University of Nebraska star John Bullock, who Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds put at the top of his list of UDFAs who could make the 53-man roster following minicamp.

David also starred at Nebraska, where he was a 2-time All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2011.

“So far, inside linebacker John Bullock, J.J. Roberts, who is being cross-trained at safety and nickelback, offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma, center Jake Majors and running back Josh Williams are the most buzz-worthy undrafted free agents from this year’s draft class,” Reynolds wrote on June 16. “Kam Johnson, an undrafted free agent wide receiver from a year ago, continues to impress and the team hopes he can stay healthy. He also has a shot to stick as WR6.”

Bucs Didn’t Draft Inside Linebacker in 2025

Another advantage Bullock might have in terms of making the 53-man roster is that despite having a pressing need at the position the Buccaneers chose not to draft an inside linebacker in 2025.

Bullock, 6-foot and 230 pounds, has the kind of versatility NFL teams love out of inside linebackers — he was a nickel back at Nebraska for his first few seasons before becoming a starter at inside linebacker his last 2 seasons in 2023 and 2024.

In his final season, Bullock had career highs with 70 tackles, 10 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections and one interception returned for a touchdown on the way to earning All-Big Ten honors.

“(Bullock) will get to learn how to play at the next level from one of the best linebackers to ever do it,” Husker Corner’s Oliver Vandervoort wrote on April 26. ” … The two years prior to (Matt) Rhule’s arrival, Bullock was mostly a special teams ace who had 6 career tackles. Bullock, like all undrafted free agents is certainly not a lock to land a full time job with the Bucs. However, the former Nebraska football star has his shot and just needs to take advantage.”

David Can Thrive With Another Elite ILB

The Buccaneers addressed the 2 weakest position groups on defense in the offseason by signing free agent edge rusher Haason Reddick to a 1-year, $14 million contract and drafting a pair of cornerbacks in the early rounds with Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish.

Thanks to the presence of David., inside linebacker is never considered a weakness and in recent years, the Buccaneers haven’t tried to add talent there like they should. That’s unfortunate because we can see that David thrives when he has another elite inside linebacker to play alongside him — Devin White was an NFL All-Pro in 2019 and helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win alongside David in 2020.