Among the flurry of activity in NFL free agency on Wednesday, former Iowa defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn accomplished something no other rookie player did.
Clayborn, who was selected with the 20th overall pick in April’s NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, became the first rookie in the 2011 class to sign under the new rookie pay scale.
The Buccaneers inked the 6-3, 281-pound defensive end to a four-year contract.
On Wednesday, Clayborn posted on his Twitter account, "Just signed on the dotted line! Consider me a Tampa Bay Buccaneer! Even tho it was more than one line and wasn’t actually dotted!!"
Clayborn recorded 15 sacks during his final two years at Iowa. The Buccaneers hope the ex-Hawkeye can continue to bring that pass rush to the NFL; Tampa Bay finished tied for 30th in sacks in the NFL last year.
The Buccaneers’ first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Clayborn may have the chance to line up against former teammate Ricky Stanzi, who was drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round of April’s draft.
— by Ben Schuff