BUCCANEERS SIGN SAFETY XAVIER WILLIAMS AS COLLEGE FREE AGENT

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed safety Xavier Williams on Sunday following his participation in the team's rookie minicamp in May. Williams joined as a college free agent after completing his football career at the University of Cincinnati in 2025. In the corresponding roster move, the Buccaneers waived cornerback Chase Lucas, citing a failed physical.

Williams appeared in 12 games during his final college season, recording 39 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed. He played college football at four programmes across five years: Charlotte (2021-22), the University of Central Florida (2023), Middle Tennessee State (2024) and Cincinnati (2025). Lucas, who entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2022, played 18 games across two seasons with Detroit before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2024 offseason.

Lucas appeared in 15 games for San Francisco last season, totalling nine tackles, one pass defensed and one quarterback hit. The cornerback made San Francisco's active roster in 2025 after spending the previous season on the practice squad. The roster changes come as the Buccaneers continue preparations for the upcoming season.