Zach Shackelford was one of the leaders for the Longhorns’ last season, pairing nicely with quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The center out of Belton, Texas went into this year’s draft hoping to be a late-round draft pick.
Instead, he has found a new home in Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Shackelford will now have the chance to protect one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady. Provided he works his way up the depth chart.
He joins first-round pick Tristian Wirfs out of Iowa as new members of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
Zach Shackelford ➡️ TB 🤘#ThisIsTexas #HookEm #TexasMade pic.twitter.com/8q6o4pLLaf
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2020
Shackelford signing with the Bucs now makes five new Longhorns in the NFL. Three were drafted, while Malcolm Roach was able to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Fighting for a position to make the team, Shackelford’s experience should help him. He started in 40 of the 43 games he played in, while also earning first-team All-Big 12 honors along the way. Either at center or somewhere else on the offensive line, Shackelford should be able to help protect Tom Brady.
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