Bucs Invite XFL DT To Try Out At Rookie Mini-Camp
The Bucs selected one defensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft in first-round pick Calijah Kancey. But they aren’t done adding to the defensive line room.
Tampa Bay is bringing in XFL defensive tackle C.J. Brewer for a try-out invitation at next week’s Bucs rookie mini-camp. Brewer played for the Houston Roughnecks last season and spent the 2022 season with the Buffalo Bills. The news was first reported by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Brewer was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Coastal Carolina. He spent last year bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster. Brewer saw action in just a few games for Buffalo and notched two tackles.
At Coastal Carolina, Brewer played in 58 games, registered 230 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He also recorded one interception, seven passes defended, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his five years with the Chanticleers. Brewer, who was a college teammate of Bucs cornerback Anthony Chesley, ranks eighth in school history in tackles. He also places fifth in school history for tackles for loss, third in QB hurries with 20, and fifth in sacks.
With the Roughnecks, Brewer played in 10 games this spring with five starts. He logged 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Bucs Need To Find One More Defensive Tackle To Fill Out The Roster
The Bucs have five defensive tackles that are all but assured of making the 53-man roster in Pro Bowler Vita Vea, Logan Hall, newcomer Greg Gaines, special teams stalwart Pat O’Connor and Kancey, the 19th overall pick. That leaves one open spot, as the Bucs typically carry six defensive tackles on the roster during the regular season.
If Brewer impresses he could be signed to the active roster. That’s what happened last year when Mike Greene was signed after a successful try-out with the team during the rookie mini-camp.
Other candidates vying for the final spot already on the roster include Greene, Deadrin Senat and Willington Previlon. Senat saw action in 12 regular season games and posted 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack, while Greene and Previlon were on the practice squad last year.
“Both of those guys, we expect to make a tremendous jump because both of them are ultra talented,” Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said of Greene and Previlon. “Mike was a great find in a rookie weekend workout and Will we got as a free agent and the skillset that he has is kind of what you’re looking for. It’ll be a big task for me to get those guys ready to play and give them a chance to compete for jobs because they’re both really talented.”
