Two Bucs sign undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams
Published 4:02 pm Monday, May 1, 2023
- Photo Contributed Running back Jacob Saylors signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buccaneer graduate tight end Nate Adkins inked a deal with the Denver Broncos.
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Saylors signs with Cincinnati, Adkins lands with Broncos
JOHNSON CITY – Following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, a pair of Buccaneers signed undrafted free agent contracts late on Saturday night. Running back Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn.) signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buccaneer graduate tight end Nate Adkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) inked a deal with the Denver Broncos.
Saylors, a first team all-SoCon performer, started all 11 games for the Blue and Gold this past season, totaling 1,307 rushing yards on 225 carries and 15 rushing touchdowns. The Jasper, Tenn. native registered 1,701 all-purpose yards as he also recorded 162 receiving yards and 232 kickoff return yards. Saylors finished the regular season ranking seventh nationally in all-purpose yards, rushing yards, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns, while ranking eighth in total touchdowns.
Saylors eclipsed over 3,000 career rushing yards and 6,000 all-purpose yards in 2022. Saylors finished his career with 3,851 rushing yards, 6,058 all-purpose yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. The Buccaneer leader had five 100+ yard rushing games, including a season-high 245 yards and three touchdowns at Wofford. Saylors finished with a career-high 369 all-purpose yards against the Terriers, which led all FCS players during regular season play.
Adkins, a four-year letterwinner and ETSU graduate, spent this past season at the University of South Carolina. With the Bucs, Adkins played in 43 career games, making 29 starts. Adkins finished his ETSU career with 73 receptions for 749 yards and four touchdowns. The three-time all-SoCon selection ranked third on the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (357) in ETSU’s historical 2021 campaign where the Bucs won a school-record 11 games, captured their first outright SoCon title in program history and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Adkins hauled in the two-point conversion catch in the memorable comeback win over Kennesaw State in the second round of the playoffs, lifting ETSU to the thrilling 32-31 victory.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football page.
