Trey Palmer He was all smiles two hours after he was selected in the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Palmer, the Nebraska receiver who became a star in his one season with the Huskers, was taken by Tampa Bay in the sixth round with the No. 191 overall pick. He spoke to a small group of media via Zoom on Saturday afternoon shortly after being drafted and reacted to the life-changing moment.
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It was expected that Palmer would be taken somewhere in the middle rounds as most draft experts projected that he would be selected in the fourth or fifth round, and there was a chance that he would be taken late in the third.
Friday night’s second and third rounds came and went, however, and the fourth and fifth rounds left Palmer waiting for a call.
That eventually came in the form of Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who informed Palmer of the news and it enthralled the former Husker.
“I was so full of emotion that I really just blanked out like ‘Oh, it’s[going to]happen.'” I was very excited,” Palmer said.
Now, he’s ready to work with star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Tampa.
“I’m excited to have those types of people on board,” Palmer said. “They can teach me more things than how I did my freshman year at LSU. Justin Jefferson taught me things. Jammer Chase taught me things. I’m a learner. I always want to be better.
The Bucs will start rookie camp in the first or second week of May. This will be Palmer’s first time practicing with the NFL logo, and he is ready to show what he can deliver to the franchise.
Palmer said, “Really, what I bring is the mindset and energy to practice.” And really just learn from the pros and veterans. And really just help them too, and they can help me too.
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Palmer talked briefly about how his time with the Huskers helped him get along and reach the level of becoming an NFL player. He spent three years at LSU and tallied 41 receptions for 458 yards and three touchdowns in addition to two touchdowns on a punt and kickoff return.
At Nebraska, he just finished the year in receiving yards as he finished the 2022 season with 71 catches for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. All of those totals rank among the top five in program history for a single season, with his receiving total setting a Huskers single-season record, his receptions ranked him No. 1 among receivers. and No. 2 among all positions, and has put in his touchdowns. Mark is in fifth place.
Palmer is a native of Kentwood, Louisiana and was the No. 2 ranked five-star prospect in the state in the 2019 class. He stayed home and signed with LSU, but his decision to go to Lincoln paved the way for him to gain some tunnel vision as he worked his way up to the next level.
Palmer said, “It really helped me focus on football, and that’s what I love.” I just focused on the good habits that I have formed.”
Of course, being a Louisiana native means that nearby New Orleans Saints — less than 90 minutes from Kentwood — owes a great deal of loyalty to his family and most people in his hometown.
Is he going to try to convert his family members to become fans of the Saints’ NFC South rival Tampa Bay?
Palmer laughed and said, “I actually let them do them.” “They know how I’m coming. Whatever team I’m on, I want to help that team win. No love is lost. They know that at the end of the day we all love each other.” We do.
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