17. Buccaneers LB Shelton Quarles – 1997-2006

By Trevor Sikkema

Quarles played college football at Vanderbilt University, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior. After going undrafted in 1994, he signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins, but was cut in training camp. Quarles then played for two seasons (1995-96) with the BC Lions of the CFL before signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 1997.

Ex-Bucs LBs Shelton Quarles (Photo by: Getty Images)

During his 10 seasons, Quarles helped lead the Buccaneers to three division titles in 1999, 2002 and 2005, which included the team’s only Super Bowl trophy in 2002. He also made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2002 as a member of the top-ranked defensive in the NFL. In eight of his 10-year playing career, Quarles’ defense was a Top 10 defense.

Since his playing days, Quarles had served as the Director of Pro Scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but now serves as Director of Football Operations for the organization.

Sikkema’s Take: “If you love an underdog story, you have to love the career and journey taken by Shelton Quarles. An undrafted player turned into the perfect compliment in a historic defense that dominated the game for his entire decade in the league. The era in which Quarles played the game was perfect for him, as was the team he was on. All fans know of Brooks, Sapp, Barber, Lynch and Rice, but Quarles was just as much a part of that Tampa 2 as anyone else.”