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Buccaneers Sign Undrafted RB Barika Kpeenu to Training Camp

The signing hands a powerful 1,000-yard FCS rusher a short chance to win a roster spot through upcoming practices and preseason evaluation.

Overview

  • Kpeenu, who signed with Tampa Bay on Sunday, joined the team as the sixth running back on the training-camp roster and will take part in the practice window before the preseason game versus Kansas City.
  • The addition creates immediate competition for the lower-tier roles as Kpeenu, Josh Williams and Kadarius Calloway vie for the fourth running-back spot behind Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker.
  • Kpeenu arrived off a breakout 2025 season at North Dakota State when he rushed for 1,005 yards and 20 touchdowns and compiled 31 touchdowns over his last three collegiate seasons.
  • Scouts project Kpeenu as a between-the-tackles, power runner who showed strength at his pro day but may lack top-end burst, and evaluators say he will likely need to contribute on special teams to make the roster.
  • The Buccaneers will use the coming practices and preseason game to judge Kpeenu’s ability to translate his FCS production into a role on a regular-season roster and to help inform final roster cuts.