Advertisement
football Edit

Weaver talks Tampa Bay

For players who don't hear their named called during the NFL Draft it can be a frustrating process waiting for that phone to ring with an offer of a free agent opportunity. Southern Miss offensive tackle Jason Weaver can attest to just that. But, the relief came for Weaver on Sunday morning when his phone rang and a representative from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was on the other end of the line.
"It was just a blessing," Weaver said in an exclusive interview with BigGoldNation.com. "Just to have that opportunity to play in the NFL."
Advertisement
Weaver was invited to the combine after a solid two year career with Southern Miss. He had a good combine, recording better numbers than several linemen taken during the NFL draft.
He turned some heads, particularly those from Tampa Bay.
"I talked with those guys at the combine," Weaver said. "Leading up to the draft they've been calling me and talking about time tables."
So heading into the draft he knew that he had some prospects.
"My goal was never to get drafted," he said. "My goal has always been just to get the opportunity to go to camp and make a roster in the NFL."
Even with the conversations that he had with Buccaneers staff he never took anything for granted.
"I wouldn't say that I had a good feeling after talking with them because nothing was promised," he said. "Everything was up in the air."
It would be easy to become frustrated and Weaver readily admits that's a feeling that he went through during the process.
"It's very frustrating process just watching the draft waiting for your name to be called," he said. " You can get frustrated and just lose faith. You just have to have faith in God that things will work out."
Weaver will be getting his marching orders shortly from the Bucs and expects to be directed to Rookie Mini-Camp this coming weekend.
Weaver becomes the second Southern Miss alum on the Tampa Bay offensive line joining former basketball turned football stand-out Demar Dotson.
"Demar was gone before I got to Southern Miss," Weaver said. "I've met him a few times when he would come back and work out with us."
Dotson was recently named the starter at right tackle and signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract with the Buccaneers.
Enjoy this free read from BigGoldNation.com. To get in on all of our preminum content there's never been a better time to try a 7-day free triial. Click Here to get started.
Advertisement