Breaking Down The Bucs’ 2021 UDFA Signings From Day 3

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The NFL Draft is over, but we still have to break down the Bucs’ 2021 UDFA signings from Day 3.

That’s right. It never ends. And as I type, the Bucs are looking for more UFDAs to sign.

Expect this list to grow in the coming hours and days. But for now, let’s take a look at who the Bucs have signed thus far.


Sadarius Hutcherson, G, South Carolina Gamecocks

The skinny: Hutcherson is a little bigger than the Bucs usually like at the guard position, but his athleticism is exactly what they’re looking for. He’s very coachable, as well, which is exactly what you want in an undrafted free agent. Hutcherson has the most upside out of all of the Bucs’ 2021 UDFA signings from Day 3.

Interesting fact: Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Hutcherson was so dedicated to the weight room that he went from 230-pounds as a freshman to his current weight of 320-pounds in five years. He became so strong that the coaches and trainers had to limit the amount of weight he was using because it was becoming dangerous.

Where he likely plays: Hutcherson made 36 straight starts in college. If he makes the active roster, he’ll probably be Ali Marpet’s backup.

Jose Borregales, K, Miami Hurricanes

The skinny: The former Hurricane played for Florida International for three years before transferring in 2020. For his career, Borregales hit around 79.5% of his field goal attempts, but he was pretty much money from 50+ yards. He finished 6-for-8 with a long of 57 yards in that department.

Interesting fact: Borregales obviously has a leg, but he only hit 73.5% of his attempts from the 30-49 yard range in college. That has to get better.

Where he likely plays: Backup quarterback, most likely. Just kidding. He’ll obviously play kicker if the opportunity ever arises.

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Lawrence White, S, Iowa State Cyclones

The skinny: He has plenty of experience. He started 31 games and played in 43 over the course of his career, finishing with 214 total tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss. White is more of a box safety, than anything.

Interesting fact: White had a fourth quarter interception off Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in 2019, which set the Cyclones up with a chance to win the game, but Cyclone quarterback Brock Purdy threw an interception on 3rd and goal from the OU 13-yard line and the Cyclones lost, 42-41.

Where he likely plays: He’s essentially in the mold of Jordan Whitehead, with limited athleticism. Regardless, safety is the destination, here.

Leighton McCarthy, OLB, Florida Atlantic Owls

The skinny: A strong player with good initial burst, McCarthy finished his four-year career at FAU with 18.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss.

Interesting fact: McCarthy switched from defensive end to OLB/EDGE in 2020 and had the best year of his career, recording 8.0 sacks in eight games.

Where he likely plays: It sounds like McCarthy will be a candidate to provide some depth at the EDGE position.

Elijah Ponder, DL, Cincinnati Bearcats

The skinny: The former Bearcat played on the interior of the Bearcats defensive line, but at 6-foot-3, 275-pounds, that won’t happen in the NFL. Ponder has decent strength and is very agile, which is why he’ll convert to OLB/EDGE at the next level.

Interesting fact: He earned First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2019 and was also named to the 2019 AAC All-Academic Team.

Where he likely plays: He’ll convert to OLB/EDGE for the Bucs.

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Elijah Ponder will likely move to OLB if he plays for the Bucs.

Calvin Ashley, OT, Florida A&M Rattlers

The skinny: Ashley made his rounds through the college football landscape. He started off at Auburn, then transferred to Florida Atlantic only to wind up a Rattler at the end of his career. He was set to play right tackle but medical issues complicated things during the first few years of his career.

Interesting fact: Ashley is a former five-star recruit. He was considered to be the sixth-best offensive tackle in the nation and the DC area’s No. 1 overall recruit. He was also the top-ranked player in Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class and is one of the top-10, highest-ranked recruits in team history.

Where he likely plays: Ashley is big (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) and explosive, but limited athletically. His lack of strength and his limited athleticism will probably kick him inside to guard.

Augie Contressa, DB, Stony Brook Seawolves

The skinny: A do-it-all defensive back, Contressa split time between corner and safety while playing for the Seawolves for four seasons. He simply flies around the field and hits whatever is in his path. Contressa can also play special teams, evidenced by a blocked punt in 2017.

Interesting fact: Contressa led the Seawolves with 88 tackles in 2019. And check out this stat line from a win over New Hampshire in 2019: 11 tackles (all solo!!), 2.0 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, and a forced fumble.

Where he likely plays: Augie is 6-foot-0, 210-pounds, which is good size for the safety position. And that’s where he’ll end up based off his playing style.

Cameron Kinley, CB, Navy Midshipmen

The skinny: Kinley was a two-year starter for the Midshipmen and recorded his first career interception in 2020. He’s the type of corner that Todd Bowles loves: big and long. He’s not the fastest guy on the field (he runs a 4.60), but he’s an excellent leader and fits the criteria of what the Bucs want at the position.

Interesting fact: His peers elected him Naval Academy Class President for the Class of 2021.

Where he likely plays: Corner is the play here, unless Kinley puts on 10-15 pounds. Then he can think about playing safety.


What do you think of the Bucs’ 2021 UDFA signings? Let us know via the comment section below!

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