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Tiquan Underwood, Greg Schiano reunite with Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 13 others sign

 
A post on ex-Patriot Tiquan Underwood’s Twitter account read on Monday, “Taking My Talents & Hair To Florida.’’
A post on ex-Patriot Tiquan Underwood’s Twitter account read on Monday, “Taking My Talents & Hair To Florida.’’
Published May 8, 2012

TAMPA — Tiquan Underwood and his high-top fade hairstyle are being reunited with his former Rutgers coach.

Underwood, 25, agreed to terms with the Bucs on Monday and is expected to become the latest Scarlet Knights player to join coach Greg Schiano in Tampa Bay.

On Monday, Underwood tweeted, "Taking My Talents & Hair To Florida.'' To make room, the Bucs will likely have to release a player or make another transaction.

In four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Underwood had 132 receptions for 1,931 yards and 16 touchdowns. Underwood's best season was as a junior year in 2007, with 65 catches for 1,100 yards and seven scores.

Underwood was released by the Patriots in February, on the eve of Super Bowl XLVI, so the team could promote defensive tackle Alex Silvestro from the practice squad. He re-signed three days later but was cut again May 3 so the Pats could sign former Florida receiver Jabar Gaffney.

Underwood would be the seventh former Rutgers player on the Bucs' roster and the fifth to sign since Schiano's hiring.

That includes cornerback Derrick Roberson, who was among 13 tryout players offered a contract Monday along with defensive end Hilee Taylor. The others are rookies: LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, Wagner defensive end Quintin Anderson, Ball State safety Sean Baker, Arkansas running back De'Anthony Curtis, Iowa punter Eric Guthrie, Nebraska tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, Henderson State fullback Antonio Leak, North Carolina defensive tackle Jordan Nix, Toledo tight end Danny Noble, Connecticut center Moe Petrus and Portland State defensive tackle Myles Wade.

The Bucs also released 12, including former USF players Chaz Hine (center) and Quenton Washington (cornerback).