TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFL Draft Class is now complete – just in time for training camp.
On Monday morning, the Bucs announced the team’s last rookie, second-round pick Cody Mauch, signed to the team.
The No. 48 overall pick spent six years at North Dakota State University. Mauch appeared in 62 games, including every game from 2019-2022. During his time as a Bison, he boasted a .907 winning percentage, with four FCS national championships and four Missouri Valley Football conference titles.
He was also named Associated Press first-team All-America in 2022 and second-team All-America in 2021. Additionally, he was named the 2022 Phile Steele FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year after starting all 15 games at left tackle for a team that ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards per game (265.7). The North Dakota native will sport No. 69 for Tampa Bay this season.
On June 14, the Bucs signed two more draft picks to the roster. First-round draft pick Calijah Kancey and third-round pick YaYa Diaby.
Defensive end Calijah Kancey became the Bucs’ newest addition Wednesday. From the University of Pittsburgh, Kancey recorded 92 tackles, 16.0 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble.
During his senior season, Kancey put up 31 tackles (14.5) for loss and 7.5 total sacks. He was also Pittsburgh’s first unanimous All-American since 2013 and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the second player in Pittsburgh history to earn the ACC’s top defensive honor. The Miami native will sport No. 94 for Tampa this season.
YaYa spent his last three seasons at the University of Louisville. At Louisville, Diaby played in 34 games and recorded 94 tackles (19.5 tackles for loss), 10.5 sacks (64 yards), two passes defended and two forced fumbles.
During his senior season, he started all 13 games and finished with 37 tackles (14.5 for loss), 9.0 sacks, and was named third-team All-ACC. At Georgia Military College, he totaled 77 tackles (20 for loss), 7.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. Diaby will wear No. 0 for the Bucs, becoming the first player to ever wear the number.
On June 8, the Buccaneers announced the signing of five 2023 draft class members: linebacker SirVocea Dennis, tight end Payne Durham, defensive back Josh Haynes, wide receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez.
SirVocea Dennis, from the University of Pittsburgh, was selected by the Bucs in the fifth round of the draft. During college, he appeared in 42 games across four seasons. He garnered a total of 233 tackles (36 for loss), 15.0 sacks, five passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Following the 2022 season, Dennis was named first-team All-ACC, a Pro Football Focus All-American (third team) and a Butkus Award Semifinalist. The New York native will sport No. 8 for the Bucs.
Tight end Payne Durham was selected by the Bucs in the fifth round as the No. 171 overall pick. During college at Purdue University, Durham appeared in 45 career games, recording 126 catches for 1,275 yards and 21 touchdowns.
According to the Bucs, his 21 receiving touchdowns are the fifth most in Purdue history and second most by a tight end in program history. His eight touchdown receptions in 2022 were also tied for the second-most by a tight end in the nation. The Georgia native will wear No. 87 for the Tampa Bay.
From Kansas State University, defensive back Josh Hayes was selected by the Bucs in the sixth round. During his senior season, he recorded 72 tackles (5.5 for loss), seven passes defended and one forced fumble. Across 68 games in his collegiate career, he totaled 204 tackles, 26 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Hayes is also the nephew of former Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes.
Hayes is from Lakeland, Florida, and will wear No. 32 for the Bucs.
Sixth-round pick Trey Palmer spent his college career at the University of Nebraska. While in college, he recorded 71 receptions for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. According to the Bucs, his receiving yards set a Nebraska single-season record, while his 71 receptions recorded a new high by a wide receiver. From Kentwood, Louisiana, Palmer will dawn No. 10 this season.
Lastly, Ramirez is the final Buccaneer to sign to the team so far. The outside linebacker from Eastern Michigan University was picked up in the sixth round of the draft. During his time in college, he recorded 156 tackles (34 for loss), 20.5 sacks, seven passes defended and six forced fumbles. The Lake Alfred, Florida native will rep No. 33 for Tampa Bay this season.
Once second-round pick Cody Mauch signs, the Bucs’ 2023 draft class will be complete.