The Bucs claimed outside linebacker Ladarius Hamilton off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys. Hamilton played collegiately at North Texas, making him the third Mean Green football player to join Tampa Bay’s roster within the week.

North Texas WR Jaelon Darden – Photo courtesy of North Texas

The Bucs drafted North Texas wide receiver Jaelon Darden in the fourth round on Saturday. On Thursday morning Tampa Bay signed cornerback Nate Brooks, a college teammate of Hamilton. Brooks entered the league in 2019 with Arizona, and spent part of last year on Baltimore’s practice squad.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound pass rusher joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Dallas last May. He spent his entire rookie season on the Cowboys practice squad and was re-signed by Dallas in January.

In four seasons at North Texas, Hamilton played in 43 games and totaled 122 tackles, 16 sacks, 28.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Playing defensive end, he ended his Mean Green career with back-to-back 7.5-sack seasons as a junior and senior.

According to Buccaneers.com, the last Mean Green player to suit up for the Bucs during the regular season was safety Beasley Reece. That was in 1985 when the school was still known as North Texas State.