Report: Antonio Grier agrees to UDFA deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Antonio Grier to an undrafted free agent deal, according to a report by Aaron Wilson.

Prior to playing for Arkansas, Grier was a linebacker for the USF Bulls, making this a kind of homecoming as he returns to Tampa and will once again play his home games at Raymond James Stadium. Before he transferred to Arkansas, Grier was also committed to the UCF Knights. He was also considered one of the best available linebackers in the portal when he originally entered.

Over the course of his college career, Antonio Grier made 270 total tackles. Among those tackles, 153 were solo tackles, 22.5 were tackles for a loss, and 10 were sacks. He also had three career interceptions and five forced fumbles.

The majority of Grier’s college tenure came at USF. He played there from 2018 through 2022, for a total of five seasons and 40 games. He took a redshirt while playing in four games during one of those seasons and earned an extra year of eligibility, as everyone did, during the 2020 season due to the pandemic. He then spent one season and 11 games at Arkansas.

On the very first snap that Antonio Grier played for the Razorbacks, he managed to score a defensive touchdown. The play came early in the 2023 season against Kent State. Grier made an interception on the play, running it back about 26 yards for the score. It was an excellent way to introduce himself to the Arkansas fans, especially after concerns were there due to a lingering injury that forced him to miss the opening week of the season.

Antonio Grier played high school football at Mays (Georgia), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 2,332 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

In both 2020 and 2021, Antonio Grier was a Second-Team All-AAC selection and was recognized as one of the best defensive players in the conference during his time there.

Despite how well Grier played, his teams consistently struggled in college. From 2018 through 2022, USF had an overall record of 15-43. Arkansas then struggled during the 2023 season, going 4-8. Now, Antonio Grier is joining a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that’s coming off a 9-8 season that saw them win the NFC South.