The Tampa Bay Buccaneers require flexibility at the quarterback position. Baker Mayfield is the starter, but the rest of the lineup is much more variable.
One recent look at a draft-eligible quarterback, UCF’s John Rhys Plumlee, who also played baseball for the Knights, exemplifies adaptability.
According to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, Plumlee attended the Buccaneers’ local pro day on April 11.
Plumlee, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, is undersized for an NFL quarterback, but he’s tested extremely well leading up to the draft and is projected as a late-round pick or free agent signing.
“Well known as one of the better athletes in the quarterback class, John Rhys Plumlee was a dual-sport standout at Ole Miss and UCF, playing baseball at a high level, too,” Eric Galko, a reporter for CBS Sports, wrote. “But Plumlee’s 4.51-second 40-yard dash time, 36.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-4 broad jump and 4.27-second short shuttle all put him in elite historical company at quarterback.”
What Could Plumlee’s Role Be On NFL Roster?
Plumlee’s speed and athleticism might make him a potential option for the Buccaneers as a Swiss Army knife player, similar to the position the New Orleans Saints have assigned Taysom Hill in recent years.
Plumlee threw 4,857 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over his two seasons as UCF’s primary quarterback. He was also a threat carrying the ball, with 1,367 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. As a rookie at Ole Miss in 2019, he established the freshman and quarterback running records with 1,023 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in just 8 starts.
Plumlee told The Paul Finebaum Show that he believes he can be a starter quarterback in the NFL someday.
“I think I can be a weapon in many different ways,” Plumlee added. “But I also think that if you asked me I’m one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the world, and I think yeah, given the opportunity, I think that I am and I will be.”
Plumlee, who batted, might perhaps pursue a career in professional baseball.In 2023, UCF had 286 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 43 runs, 32 RBI, and a team-high 18 stolen bases.
Plumlee went popular in 2023 after participating in a UCF baseball game and then riding a golf cart across campus to play in UCF’s spring game.
Buccaneers Have Depth at Quarterback in 2024
While Mayfield, Kyle Trask, and John Wolford appear to be the Buccaneers’ quarterbacks for 2024, nothing is certain. There is clearly room on the roster for a player that can only play the “Athlete” role, such as Plumlee.
Since becoming Tampa Bay’s general manager in 2014, Jason Licht has only drafted a quarterback twice: Jameis Winston first overall in 2015 and Trask second round in 2021.
Two recommendations that haven’t exactly lit the world on fire.
“For a player who teams value as a still developing quarterback, but also as receiver/situational athlete, Plumlee testing well was a crucial part of his draft process,” Galko stated in an email. “Per Relative Athletic Score, if he was considered a receiver, he’d still be in the 73rd percentile as a receiver athlete.”
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