Former Tennessee football safety Will Brooks is getting another shot to earn a spot in the NFL. The Vols’ breakout safety from the 2024 College Football Playoff run has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Greg Auman. This comes after the Bucs caught the injury bug at safety.
Brooks was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. KC waived him just three days later. He also spent a short stint with the New Orleans Saints.
The Buccaneers now have one preseason game remaining, which Brooks may take part in. Tampa Bay will face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on local TV stations for those NFL markets.
Brooks is not guaranteed a spot on the regular-season roster this year, though. The Buccaneers will have to trim their roster ahead of the beginning of the season to adhere to roster limits. However, if injuries continue to loom and Brooks can impress, he could earn a spot.
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Brooks is coming off a strong redshirt senior season that saw him start all 13 games at safety for Tennessee. He produced the second-most tackles on the team at 59 and defended nine passes. His four interceptions tied for the team-high, as well. This included a pick-six against NC State in Charlotte and a game-sealing grab in the home win over Alabama. He also came up with one in the loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs.
In 2023, Brooks began to work his way onto the defensive unit as a redshirt junior. He played in 10 games and started one in the secondary. In 189 snaps, he split time between safety and the STAR position. His start was in this nickelback role in the final game against Vanderbilt.
In 2022, he stood out as a special teams contributor in all 13 games. In 2021, he also played on special teams during Josh Heupel’s first season. 2020 saw him earn a redshirt after not appearing in any games.
Brooks joined the program as a walk-on from Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He earned ASWA All-State second team honors as a senior. He also played lacrosse and was tabbed a high school All-American by US Lacrosse.
