The Bucs have been pretty busy before flying out to Pittsburgh for a practice on Wednesday and joint practice with the Steelers on Thrusday before their preseason game on Saturday. The team announced on Tuesday that they have signed free agent cornerback JayVian Farr and running back Jase McClellan while also waiving kicker Ryan Coe and quarterback Michael Pratt in a corresponding move. 

What To Know About Bucs’ Farr & McCellan 

Farr was invited to Bucs rookie mini-camp back in May on a tryout and now gets another opportunity in Tampa. He played his college ball at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that happens to be a division II football program. During his time there he played all four seasons in 46 games, recording 99 tackles, one five tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions 21 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.

Farr was second team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in 2023 and bumped up to first team All-NSIC in 2024. He also won the NSIC championship with the Vikings that season, too. He is listed a 5’9 and weighing and 192 pounds. Farr will get to join Tampa Bay and have his first practice with the team in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, which is a team practice that day followed by a joint practice with the Steelers on Thursday.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Injuries have seemed to of hit the Bucs often during this training camp and recently at the corner position. Rookie second round pick Benjamin Morrison has been out for over a week with a hamstring injury and doesn’t appear to be returning this week when the Bucs head out to Pittsburgh. During Monday’s practice, it was noted that veteran corner Bryce Hall and rookie undrafted free agent Roman Parodie did not practice, giving Farr and opportunity.

McClellan was drafted by Atlanta out of Alabama in the sixth round (186th overall) in 2024. He did not see any action during his rookie season and was put on injured reserve in December with a knee injury. The Falcons released McClellan on June 17.

While undrafted free agent running back Josh Williams returned to practice on Monday after missing two weeks due to a hamstring injury, the Bucs want to make sure they have enough running backs heading into Pittsburgh where the Bucs will be facing the Steelers in a joint practice on Thursday and the second preseason game on Saturday night. Only Irving, Tucker and Williams practiced on Monday.

At 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds, McClellan flashed big-play ability as a freshman, rushing 23 times for 245 yards (10.7 avg) and two touchdowns, plus one catch for one yard. His 2021 campaign was cut short by an ACL injury, though he still posted 40 carries for 191 yards (4.8 avg), one rushing touchdown, and contributed 10 receptions for 97 yards and three receiving scores.

Returned and ready in 2022, McClellan elevated his role: appearing in 13 games and rushing for 655 yards on 112 carries (5.8 avg) with seven rushing TDs, and adding 14 catches for 174 yards and three more scores, tallying a total of 10 touchdowns that season.

In his senior year in 2023, stepping into the lead-back role, he again played in 13 games (12 starts), carrying 180 times for 890 yards (4.9 avg) and eight touchdowns. He also hauled in 15 receptions for 137 yards.

Bucs RB Jase McClellan – Photo by: USA Today

Across his Alabama career, McClellan amassed 1,894 rushing yards on 341 carries (5.6 avg), 16 rushing touchdowns, along with 38 receptions for 398 yards and six receiving TDs. His  nearly 2,300 total scrimmage yards and 22 total touchdowns was enough to catch the NFL’s attention and the Falcons drafted him in the sixth round in 2024.

McClellan totaled 24 rushing attempts for 97 yards (4.0 avg) with one touchdown in the preseason last year for Atlanta. He also had three catches for 24 yards with a long of 11 yards for the Falcons.

 Bucs Are Set At Kicker And QB

Coe was going to be the odd man out whenever the Bucs need to open up a roster spot. With Chae McLaughlin being a top three kicker in the NFL today, it was always going to be his job this season.

It was very unofortunate what happened to quarterback Michael Pratt. Drafted by the Packers last season, he was cut after training camp and then signed with the Bucs where he remained on the practice squad, but did get a couple of game day elevations. The though heading into this season was that Pratt could compete with and push Kyle Trask for second string quarterback.

Bucs QBs Michael Pratt and Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Pratt injured his back over the spring and was not able to participate in OTAs, mini-camp or at any time during training camp. The Bucs were left with three quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Trask and Connor Bazelak. When Mayfield missed two practices because of a hand contusion, it put into motion the need for the Bucs to sign another quarterback since Pratt wasn’t available either. Tampa Bay signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater last week and he has began practicing. Bridgewater brings tons of experience and adds value to the quarterback room.

With Pratt still not ready, it didn’t leave the Bucs with many options. Maybe when healthy he can get another look, but the team is less than a month away from the season and need to start moving.

Tampa Bay will be in Pittsburgh this upcoming week where we’ll all get a look at the newest additions to the roster.