Former Arizona linebacker and safety hybrid Paul Magloire Jr. agreed to a deal as an undrafted free agent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Let’s go! Beyond blessed god has truly blessed me #GoBUCS #41 What a Journey! #BlessedAndHighlyFavored pic.twitter.com/Re3nc69jFx

— Paul Magloire (@P_MAGLOIRE) April 29, 2017

“It’s a blessing. I never thought this was coming, man,” Magloire said after the draft.  

Originally projected as a potential third to fifth round pick, players similar to Magloire’s position were selected and it appeared as only a matter of time before a team that needs depth on defense would make the call to him.  

The Bucs were out of contention late in the draft, because they didn’t have either a sixth or seventh-round pick. 

Tampa Bay came to Arizona’s pro day, Magloire worked out for the Bucs and he’s been in contact with linebackers coach Mark Duffner since February so the relationship has been established months prior to the draft. 

Magloire will be one of Tampa Bay’s highest paid undrafted free agents and the team is looking to have eight linebackers for the 2017 roster. 

“I think I’m going to be their dime linebacker for sure and they gave me a deal,” Magloire said. “I’m going to be one of their highest paid undrafted free agents.”

He will be challenged, because outside linebacker Daryl Smith is the only free agent out of all of the linebackers and the team looks to bring in three linebackers including third-round pick, middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith from LSU. And the team is looking to add three newcomers so Magloire’s spot isn’t secured, but it also looks promising for his first NFL destination in Tampa. 

He’s no stranger to overcoming adversity and bouncing around to find his way has been something he’s grown accustomed to. 

Originally from New York, Magloire played quarterback at Milford Academy before switching to safety and eventually played the 2012 and 2013 seasons at Appalachian State. However, Magloire wanted more exposure at a bigger program so he transferred to Junior College powerhouse Arizona Western in Yuma, Ariz. for a season where he led the team in tackles with 101 and 6 tackles for loss. 

Magloire became a NJCAA Second-Team All-American and landed a spot in Tucson and as inappropriate as it sounds, the 2015 season was a substantial reason why he’s in this position. The middle linebacker position took a hit when middle linebackers Scooby Wright III tore his right meniscus and Derrick Turituri battled a hip injury while reserve walk-ons were injured. Rodriguez was forced to shuffle players around and move outside linebackers to middle linebacker and that was when Magloire switched to outside linebacker. 

He didn’t receive significant playing time and still finished second on the team in tackles including 54 solo tackles in 2015. 

As a senior in 2016, Magloire was named to the Bednarik Award watch list and playing on a 3-9 football team especially on the 115th ranked defense in college football didn’t help his stock and was limited throughout the year. 

He still led the team with 81 tackles and was second in solo tackles with 58 and was still considered as the only Arizona player to have a chance in the NFL Draft. 

Magloire’s pro day was impressive when posted 25 reps on the bench press and ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, which would’ve been the second best time at the NFL Draft combine. 

He enters a system where the core players on both sides of the ball are young so if Magloire can gel into a defense where his strength and speed can be useful, then the final day of not hearing his name will be in the rear view. 

“It’s looking real good,” Magloire said. 

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