Former UCF OT Paul Rubelt Getting Snaps With Bucs' Second Unit
· Yahoo Sports
While No. 23 overall pick Malachi Lawrence highlighted UCF's next generation of NFL talent this past draft, multiple former Knights found homes at the next level through undrafted free agent contracts.
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Paul Rubelt, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is one of them.
At 6-foot-10 and 313 pounds, Rubelt was one of the tallest prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. He also boasts nearly 36-inch arms and a wingspan measuring just over 83 inches.
This size was enough for Tampa to take a flier on Rubelt, who has been getting run in training camp.
Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman noted that Rubelt is playing with the Bucs' second unit, playing across from veteran tackle Justin Skule.
Some of this is due to injury, with two-time All Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs being held out of opening practices and fellow UDFA tackle Benjamin Chukwuma dealing with injury.
But, it is still promising to see Rubelt getting snaps and repetition.
In early May, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner named the best undrafted free-agent signing for each team, with Rubelt earning the honor for Tampa Bay.
“(Rubelt) is an outstanding athlete for a man his size,” Baumgardner wrote. “He ran a 4.99 40 (1.79 10-yard split) and posted a 32-inch vertical. Rubelt moves like an athletic basketball player, even if leverage is a natural issue. He’s definitely worth a look.”
Wirfs is certainly going to be on the left side of the line, but the right tackle position is still up in the air.
For Rubelt, who didn't get serious about football until age 13, coming to the United States as a foreign exchange student, these opportunities in camp will be valuable towards him making his case.
At UCF, Rubelt started 10 of his 11 appearances at left tackle last season, helping anchor a Knights offensive line that thrived in the run game during his time with the program.
Current Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey frequently benefited from large running lanes created by Rubelt and the rest of UCF’s offensive front, as the Knights finished with the fifth-best rushing attack in the nation at 248.1 yards per game.
Rubelt also excelled in the classroom, earning three AAC All-Academic Team honors along with one All-Big 12 Team selection.
This combination of smarts and size makes Rubelt an intriguing prospect at the next level, especially for a Bucs team in need of offensive line depth.
At the very least, Rubelt projects as a potential goal-line contributor, serving as an extra blocker in heavy packages.