These undrafted free agents made it to the Tampa Bay roster ahead of Shilo Sanders

Undrafted free agents Josh Williams, Benjamin Chukwuma, and John Bullock secure spots on the Buccaneers' roster.

Published on: Aug 28, 2025, 09:45:47 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finalized their initial top 53 in accordance with the 1 PM EDT Tuesday (August 26) deadline. Although movement is expected to take place in this lineup over the season, it appears that undrafted rookie safety Shilo Sanders, despite his prowess, failed to make the initial cut.

The Buccaneers have set their 53-man roster, with undrafted rookies Josh Williams, Benjamin Chukwuma, and John Bullock making the team, while safety Shilo Sanders did not. (Photo by Julio Aguilar / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

"This game is a serious business, but it's also entertainment," Sanders had earlier told ESPN. "People have jobs, and they say, 'I'm not going to work today. I'm going to come out here and support the Bucs.' So the least I could do is make their experience enjoyable because they help make my experience enjoyable too."

ALSO READ| Trey Hendrickson makes humble season prediction after Bengals contract: 'One day…'

“Feel-good stories on cutdown day: the Buccaneers had three undrafted free agents — RB Josh Williams, OT Benjamin Chukwuma, and LB John Bullock — earn spots on their 53-man roster. Bullock was a former walk-on LB at Nebraska like Bucs GM Jason Licht,” NFL insider Adam Schefter wrote on social media.

Here are the three undrafted rookies who trailed ahead of Sanders this time around:

Josh Williams

Making a spot in the crowded Buccaneers’ is no easy feat, but Williams seems to have achieved this milestone. Despite already having some of the best backfields in the league, including names like Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker, Williams managed to find a spot.

Benjamin Chukwuma

Fresh from playing college ball for Georgia State, Chukwuma is a left-sided offensive tackle who will be decisive to the Buccaneers’ game as Tristan Whirfs tries to get better. Despite being placed at No. 2, he has an important role to play, especially until Whirfs’s return.

ALSO READ| Jamal Lewis ‘was huffin and puffin’; ex-Ravens RB opens up about smoking cigars

John Bullock

Currently listed as the second-team left inside linebacker behind SirVocea Dennis, Bullock is a crucial addition to the Buccaneers’ linebacker room. Following a great camp and preseason period, fingers crossed the speed spills over into regular-season energy as well.

The Buccaneers are scheduled to face the Atlanta Falcons in their regular-season opener on Sunday (September 7).

Stuti Gupta contributed to this story

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.