NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Yale University tight end JJ Howland has earned a free agent contract on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 90-man offseason roster after an impressive performance during the Bucs' rookie minicamp.

Howland, an All-Ivy League First Team selection this past season, also participated in the Seattle Seahawks minicamp before making an impression in Florida to earn his professional football deal.

"We are extremely excited for JJ as he begins camp with the Buccaneers," said Tony Reno, Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Football at Yale. "JJ brought an incredible work ethic and drive to our team's at Yale and I know he will bring the same to Tampa Bay."

Howland, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end, was a two-time All-Ivy performer who had a chance to showcase his skills in mid-January as participants in the Tropical Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
 
His profile of size and speed was evident all season and flashed in game one of the year as he sprinted for a 74-yard touchdown reception against Holy Cross.

The Bulldogs now have six active NFL participants Melvin Rouse II was in rookie minicamp with the Philadelphia Eagles along with 2022 NFL Draft Pick Rodney Thomas II, Foye Oluokun '18 (Jacksonville), Jaeden Graham '18 (Atlanta) and Dieter Eiselen '20 (Chicago).