The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added another quarterback to complete out their roster.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Buccaneers signed quarterback Zack Annexstad shortly after the 2024 NFL draft ended. Annexstad began his career at the University of Minnesota before spending the last two seasons with Illinois State.
“Former Illinois State QB Zack Annexstad is signing with the #Bucs, per source,” Pelissero said on Saturday, April 27.
Zack Annexstand Had Notable Start to Collegiate Career
Annexstad’s career stands out since he was only the second true freshman walk-on to start a season opener for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2018.
In 2018, the 6-foot-3 quarterback started the first seven games of the season and went 3-0, becoming the first Gopher rookie quarterback to start and win the first three games of his career. He ended his freshman season with nine touchdowns and 1,277 yards.
However, an injury forced him to miss the 2019 season, and he did not play in 2020. He later transferred to Illinois State for the 2022 season, where he was voted team captain and led the Redbirds with 11 passing touchdowns in eight games.
Before suffering a season-ending injury in 2023, Annexstad passed for 17 touchdowns in nine games, including two rushing touchdowns.
Annexstad passed for 5,079 yards, 37 passing touchdowns, and 19 interceptions during his college career, while also rushing for 149 yards and six touchdowns.
Following Annexstad’s signing, the Buccaneers now have four quarterbacks on their roster, with Baker Mayfield as starter and veterans Kyle Trask and John Wolford as backups.
The Buccaneers will host rookie minicamp in May before holding OTAs from May 21 to June 6. If Annexstad makes it past the rookie minicamp, he is expected to be the fourth quarterback and a camp arm when training camp begins in late July.
Buccaneers Given Favorable Grade for Draft Picks
The 2024 NFL draft has ended, and the Buccaneers have a lot of new players on their roster.
Tampa Bay chose Duke center Graham Barton in the first round with the 26th overall choice. They also selected outside linebacker Chris Braswell from Alabama in the second round and Georgia safety Tykee Smith in the third round.
In addition, the Buccaneers selected Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the late third round and Oregon running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round.
ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. says he liked what he saw from the Buccaneers over draft weekend, giving them a “B” and stating they “got better.”
“Graham Barton (26) is my top-ranked center, and he’ll immediately help a run game that ranked 32nd in yards per attempt (3.4) last season,” Kiper Jr. writes in his column. “While he played left tackle at Duke, he has All-Pro potential as a pivot. Wide receiver Jalen McMillan (92) was a steal at the conclusion of Round 3. He might be an excellent No. 3 receiver as a rookie before taking on a larger role in 2025. McMillan is my best talent in Tampa Bay’s class, but Barton should come in and be a top-10 center as a rookie. The Bucs improved this weekend.”
With Ryan Jensen’s retirement, the Buccaneers have a new starting center in Barton and a potential new slot receiver in Jalen McMillan.
To top it all off, Tampa Bay now has crucial depth at running back in Bucky Irving, who rushed for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final season with the Oregon Ducks. Irving is expected to serve as the primary backup to starter Rachaad White.
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