With their final selection of the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 196), the Bucs selected Eastern Michigan edge rusher Jose Ramirez.

Ramirez, at 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, is certainly a bit undersized, but he has impressive hip flexibility and quick feet. He took a while to get on the field with regularity at Eastern Michigan, playing just 10 games (one start) over the 2019 and 2020 seasons there.

Eastern Michigan EDGE Jose Ramirez Photo By: USA Today

But once he took on a larger role in 2021, he broke out. In 13 games (eight starts), he tallied 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss while forcing three fumbles and adding four passes defensed. Then, in 2022, he played in 12 games (11 starts) and had a monster season. A team captain, Ramirez finished his final season with 12 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

After wrapping up his career with the Eagles, Ramirez went on to put together a nice showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He posted a 4.73-second 40-yard dash with a 1.63 10-yard split. His 34.5-inch vertical ranked him inside the top 10 at his position, and his 6.95-second three-cone drill and 4.30-second 20-yard shuttle were the best marks of any player at his position.

Jose Ramirez is certainly set to be a developmental pass rusher as a late Day 3 pick for the Bucs, but he has high upside as a rotational guy. He’ll join a room that features Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, YaYa Diaby and Cam Gill.

Jose Ramirez Will Fit Right In With Bucs’ Locker Room

Bucs DE Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jose Ramirez is no stranger to the area, as he’s a Lake Alfred product who played his prep football at Auburndale High School. Not only that, but he said in his first press conference with local media that he’s a Bucs fan, which is why he already had a shirt to wear once he was drafted.

Plus, he shares an alma mater with Bucs defensive lineman and special teams ace Pat O’Connor. Both were standouts at Eastern Michigan, and now they’ll team up on the same defense in Tampa Bay.

Ramirez should fit right in with the Buccaneer defense, and he’ll have the opportunity to learn from another undersized pass rusher in Shaquil Barrett. Both guys are of a similar stature, and Barrett has managed to have significant success at the NFL level. The 30-year-old was the league’s sack leader in 2019, setting a new franchise record with 19.5 sacks, and was a key part of the Super Bowl LV run in 2020. He’s not a bad mentor for Ramirez to have in Tampa Bay.

And given his leadership ability and overall character, Ramirez is bound to be a great fit in the team’s locker room. In Dane Brugler’s “The Beast,” he notes that the Eastern Michigan team captain gave up his spot in the pregame coin toss so that other seniors could have the experience. So, the addition of Ramirez falls in line with Jason Licht and his staff’s penchant for drafting high-character guys.