The Buccaneers will have a local favorite trying out at their rookie mini-camp this weekend at One Buc Place. University of South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe will be trying to earn a roster spot for the offseason workouts and training camp when he participates at the rookie mini-camp.

Grothe completed 717 passes for 8,668 yards with 52 touchdown passes in his college career. He also ran the ball for 2,206 yards and 23 touchdowns in his four-year college career. Grothe's senior year ended when he tore an ACL in his left knee three games into the season on Sep. 19 against Charleston Southern.  The injury was one of the issues that caused Grothe not to be drafted. Grothe (6-0, 207) was a big part of the rise of the Bulls' program during his first three college seasons, 2006-2008. The Buccaneers hosted Grothe on a pre-draft visit.

Grothe will have an up-hill battle to get on the Buccaneers offseason roster. Tampa Bay has four other quarterbacks under contract: Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Rudy Carptenter, and Jevan Snead. Tampa Bay moved quickly to sign Snead when he went undrafted last weekend. Snead is projected to be the primary competition for Johnson and Carpenter in training camp for the two spots to backup Freeman.