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Bucs remain busy, sign 20 undrafted rookies

 
Auburn linebacker Cassanova McKinzy had 263 career tackles in college.
Auburn linebacker Cassanova McKinzy had 263 career tackles in college.
Published May 1, 2016

TAMPA — As soon as the NFL draft wrapped up Saturday, the Bucs kept busy, signing at least 20 undrafted rookie free agents to contracts.

Tampa Bay had waived eight players Friday to make room for a big class of undrafted rookies, and it will have those 20 — plus seven draft picks and tryout players — at its three-day rookie minicamp, which starts Friday at One Buc Place.

Among the most promising prospects: Auburn linebacker Cassanova McKinzy had 263 career tackles and will compete for the backup strongside job, and Roman Namdar was a prolific receiver for Division III Mount Union, with a combined 38 touchdowns and 2,390 receiving yards in the past two seasons. Some of the prospects have close ties to Bucs coaches — West Georgia tackle Dominique Robertson is the nephew of Bucs offensive line coach George Warhop, and South Carolina safety Isaiah Johnson played last year for current Bucs secondary coach Jon Hoke while with the Gamecocks.

Other players who will attend camp on a tryout basis include former Plant High/Alabama/Toledo quarterback Philip Ely, as well as former USF quarterback Steven Bench and former Maine defensive end Mike Kozlakowski.

Undrafted rookies signed

Peyton Barber, RB, Auburn

Tim Brown, TE, West Chester

Kivon Cartwright, TE, Colorado State

Tyson Coleman, OLB, Oregon

Alan Cross, FB/TE, Memphis

Taylor Fallin, OT, Memphis

Russell Hansbrough, RB, Missouri

Traveon Henry, S, Northwestern

Isaiah Johnson, S, South Carolina

Anthony Kelly, WR, Kutztown

DaVonte Lambert, DE, Auburn

Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn

Jontavius Morris, DL, UAB/WKU

Roman Namdar, WR, Mount Union

Luke Rhodes, LB, William & Mary

Dominique Robertson, OL, West Georgia

Elijah Shumate, S, Notre Dame

Dez Stewart, WR, Ohio Dominican

Channing Ward, DL, Ole Miss

Leonard Wester, OL, Missouri Western

Up next: Three-day rookie minicamp, beginning Friday at One Buc Place