To finish off their 2024 NFL Draft class, the Bucs went back to the Washington pipeline once again, selecting tight end Devin Culp with pick No. 246.

Washington TE Devin Culp – Photo by: USA Today

Culp didn’t have a ton of production over his time with the Huskies, which spanned from 2018 through 2023. He caught 66 passes for 711 yards and four touchdowns in 54 games (26 starts). But he had his best season in 2023 as Washington made a trip to the College Football Playoff final. As an All-Pac 12 honorable mention, the 6-foot-3, 238-pound tight end caught 16 passes for 208 yards (13.0 avg.) and two touchdowns.

The new Bucs tight end needs to be more consistent with his hands (he had 12 drops during his Washington career) and he could stand to improve his route running and blocking. However, he has electrifying speed for his position, running a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was also exceptionally durable during his college career, as he didn’t miss a game in the last three seasons and played 54 games during his time with the Huskies.

Culp told Pewter Report at the Combine that he had both a formal and informal meeting with the Bucs, and he spoke at length about how much he’d like to reunite with some of his former Washington teammates in Tampa. Now, he’ll get the opportunity to do just that.

Washington TE Devin Culp says it would be a blessing to be the next to join the Bucs’ Huskies contingent. @UW_Football @_DevinCulp_ pic.twitter.com/aDIoq2Eoto

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) February 29, 2024

Devin Culp Gets His Wish, As He’ll Reunite With Huskies Teammates

There’s no denying how much the Bucs love drafting players from the University of Washington. Devin Culp is the third Huskies tight end to be drafted by Jason Licht, following Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Cade Otton. Licht has also selected Washington alums Vita Vea and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, plus he signed former Huskies defensive lineman Greg Gaines last offseason and re-signed him last month. Most recently, Tampa Bay drafted Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the third round of the 2024 Draft.

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

Culp raved about Otton, his former teammate, in a conversation with Pewter Report in Indianapolis.

“Man, that’s my big brother,” Culp said about Otton. “I got to watch and play with Cade for a really long time. He’s always been there for me. I’ve gone through some tough times, and he was always the first person to shoot me a text or give me a hug or just check on me mentally. So I’ve got nothing but the utmost respect for Cade.”

Culp also spoke about his relationship with some of the other Washington alums who are now with the Bucs. That includes another former teammate in Tryon-Shoyinka.

“That’s also my big brother too right there. Man, that’s my guy,” Culp said. “He’s also another guy who was always there for me if I needed him, big brother role. We spent a lot of time together. Joe is kind of a jokester and stuff like that, so I just enjoyed being around Joe to get some laughs in and just brighten up my mood.”

Culp was tight with both Otton and Tryon-Shoyinka, and he was even locker mates with Gaines in his first year with the Huskies. The prospect of re-joining his former teammates with the Bucs brought a smile to his face in Indy.

“It would be a big blessing,” Culp said. “I know that Tampa likes their Dawgs. To be reunited with Joe and Cade would be amazing. “And Greg Gaines was also like a big brother to me as well. We were actually locker mates in 2018, my freshman year, and Greg’s always been super cool toward me. So it would be nice to get to reunite with all those guys.

“And I’ve always heard nothing but great things about Vita Vea and the type of leader he is and the type of love that he shows to the Dawgs if they ever come in to Tampa. So I would be excited to be a part of that and experience that with them.”

Now, that prospect of teaming back up with his fellow Huskies is a reality.