Trey Palmer showing out and locking down a roster spot

Record setter in his only season in Lincoln

It’s hard to believe there are 190 picks drafted that are better players than Trey Palmer. Taken in the sixth round, pick 191, the Bucs appear to have found themselves a diamond in the rough, a sleeper, a dark horse. However, you describe the Cornhusker; he’s the real deal it appears at this point. Palmer was recruited by and played at LSU from 2019-2021 before entering the porthole and transferring to Nebraska for his Senior season (2022). Palmer became quarterback Casey Thompson’s favorite target in Palmer’s only season at Nebraska. He set a single-season receiving record for the Cornhuskers with 1,043 yards. His 71 receptions on the season rank second in school history but ranks first among wide receivers. Palmer was also the only player in the Big 10 to have three games of 150 or more receiving yards in 2022. It’s exceptionally fortuitous for the Bucs that Palmer was still hanging around when the sixth round found its way to us. I’ll assume the team was extremely pleased to still see his name on the clipboard that late.

Standing out in all facets

Coach Todd Bowles was asked specifically about Palmer on August 13 after camp practice. This is what the Head Coach had to say.

“The biggest thing was he flashed in the game. You can flash in practice because it’s kind of…you can’t touch most of the guys, and they’re running free most of the time. But he flashed in the game, and he flashed not just on offense but special teams, as well. That gave me a lot of confidence, and I looked at him more, and he’s a guy that’s very noticeable right now.”

Let’s hope Palmer continues to turn heads in pre-season. With Russell Gage being out for the season, Palmer may find a good amount of playing time in his rookie campaign. It looks like Jason Licht has delivered once again in the draft. I’ve always believed that often it is the latter-round picks that can often set your draft apart from others. Everyone knows well who the obvious stars should be. Rounds 5-7 are often a crap shoot at best. Go, Palmer, Go Bucs!!