The Bucs have had a knack for finding hidden gems in undrafted rookie free agents over the years. They may have found their next one with inside linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, who made the 53-man roster after sweating out the final cut day.

Fatukasi, who played his college football under Greg Schiano at Rutgers, came into training camp in a battle for the fourth inside linebacker position. His competition included fellow UDFA J.J. Russell and last year’s special teams ace, Grant Stuard.

Bucs ILB Olakunle Fatukasi – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It was Stuard who was probably the favorite to make the team, but Fatukasi proved early on that he was the best inside linebacker. He had more speed, awareness and overall was able to stay healthier. But nothing was guaranteed until after 4:00 PM on Tuesday.

“When I found out it was the day of cut day. I was shaking, a little bit nervous,” Fatukasi said. “Because you don’t know, anything can happen. I found out later on like around 4:00. I was really happy,  I told my parents, they were excited. Family and friends hit me up, they were excited about it. It was a great feeling that day.”

Fatukasi Dominated In-Game

The sharp play wasn’t all that got Fatukasi on the team. He by far stood out the most in all three of the Bucs’ preseason games. He led the defense with 20 tackles, also recording 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. His performance was highlighted most at the Titans where came up with 10 tackles and 1. 5 sacks.

“He had a good camp the whole way through,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “He was consistent, he made plays, he lined up at both spots, he got better and better each week. He forced himself on this team. He made us take notice and he was consistent.”

Fatukasi gave credit to a couple of different reasons for how he beat the odds to make the roster. One of them was not overthinking everything and just focusing on the daily task at hand.

“Work ethic, diving into the playbook, playing fast, being consistent,” Fatukasi said. “That’s what they like to see, so that’s what I’m going to do. I took it day by day, worrying about what I have to do that day. That’s it, practice is that day, worry about practice, meetings, going to take care of what I need to do that day.”

Fatukasi Needs To Contribute On Special Teams

Of course the trade of Stuard to the Colts signified that the job was likely going to Fatukasi. The most reasonable claim was that Stuard is arguably the best special teamer that the Bucs had. Replacing his production means that Fatukasi will have to pick up the slack in that department.

Bucs ILB Olakunle Fatukasi – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I played that a lot in college,” Fatukasi said. “I knew if I came here, I got to play a lot of special teams then. And I can take that role, I’m good with that role.”

The roster has multiple undrafted free agents on it. And Fatukasi also joins tight end Cam Brate and offensive lineman Nick Leverett as undrafted players on the roster that also began their career on the Bucs.

What Fatukasi has going over them, though, is that he had the toughest competition against him playing in the Big 10. It’s helped bridge the gap for him when making the jump to playing the game at the NFL level.

“A little bit faster,” Fatukasi said. “Because the Big 10 there’s a lot of fast guys that’s in the NFL now.  It’s nothing like a big difference. Just a little bit faster.”