An FBS interceptions-and-passes-defensed leader at Marshall who signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent and lost his rookie year to a knee injury.
JJ Roberts was one of the best-kept secrets of the 2025 undrafted class, leading the entire FBS in passes defensed during his final Marshall season. Tampa Bay scooped him up after the draft, but a knee injury suffered in a joint practice wiped out his entire rookie year. He now projects as a developing depth safety behind Antoine Winfield Jr. and the Buccaneers' starters heading into 2026.
Path to the league
A former high school quarterback and Gatorade Player of the Year in West Virginia, Roberts started his college career at Wake Forest before transferring to Marshall in 2023. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft despite a strong Pro Day but signed with the Buccaneers as a college free agent.
Career highlights
Roberts led the entire FBS with 14 passes defensed in his final season at Marshall in 2024, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors. Across his two seasons with the Thundering Herd, he totaled 167 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 17 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
2025 season recap
Roberts' rookie season ended before it began. He suffered a knee injury during a joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers in training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 18, missing the entire 2025 season. He is in rehab and expected to compete for a role in Tampa Bay's secondary in 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: J. J. Roberts (American football)
- Buccaneers.com: JJ Roberts Lands on Injured Reserve
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Marshall
- Hometown
- Ona, WV, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
