TAMPA, Fla.— Former Samford linebacker Shaheed Salmon has signed a free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bucs announced Thursday.
 
Salmon received a mini-camp invitation following this year's NFL Draft. Following an impressive performance at the mini-camp, the organization signed him to a free-agent deal Thursday.
 
Salmon, a native of Tampa, led the team with 109 total tackles, including 62 solo stops as a senior in 2017. Salmon tallied 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
 
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Salmon was named first team All-SoCon, and he earned third-team All-America honors from STATS.
 
For his career, Salmon tallied 274 total tackles, 163 solo. He finished with 40.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
 
Salmon helped lead Samford to back-to-back NCAA Division I-FCS Playoff appearance for the first time in 25 years. The 2017 Bulldogs finished with a mark of 8-4 overall and 6-2 in Southern Conference play.
 
Salmon hopes to continue the recent success of former Samford players in the NFL. During the 2017 season, cornerback James Bradberry (Carolina Panthers), safety Jaquiski Tartt (San Francisco 49ers) and defensive lineman Michael Pierce (Baltimore Ravens) were all starters on their respective teams.
 
Salmon, along with punter Austin Barnard (Tennessee Titans) and cornerback Omari Williams (New York Jets) hope to make opening day rosters.