The annual NFL Draft took place on April 24-26. While ETSU is no stranger to producing pro talent, the draft would lead many players to new opportunities with pro clubs. Most notably, former Buccaneer turned North Carolina Tar Heel cornerback, Alijah Huzzie (LaGrange, Ga.), and former Bucs turned Memphis Tiger, Chandler Martin (Lithonia, Ga.), were signed as free agents to the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
In addition to former Bucs signing contracts with NFL squads, many more have received invitations for tryouts across the league. Transferred from the Bucs to UCF defensive back Sheldon Arnold III (Loganville, Ga.), was tapped with a chance to play along the likes of three-time Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
While those three players continue their football playing days in the NFL, many other players have recently seen success in spring football leagues, such as former Bucs running back Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Ga.), who is currently signed to the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. Additionally, United Football League Memphis Showboats is the current home of Buc breakout defensive end Nasir Player (Columbia, S.C.).
Historically, the Buccaneers have also produced professional NFL talent such as former Dallas Cowboy Gerald Sensabaugh (Kingsport, Tenn.) and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith, as well as longtime NFL cornerback Donnie Abraham, now defensive coordinator for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. Despite the Football Conference Subdivision (FCS) status of our university athletics, ETSU has historically and most recently, since the return of the football program in 2015, continued to produce more professional athletes. With NFL training camps opening right around the corner, in addition to the CFL Draft and other smaller Arena Football leagues beginning play later this summer, there remain opportunities for former ETSU Buccaneers.
For more information on ETSU football, please visit ETSUBucs.com.
