Former SE Standout Preps for Super Bowl LV

DURANT, Okla. – The pro football journey for former Southeastern all-conference tight end Codey McElroy may be nearing one of its highest points yet as he prepares for Super Bowl LV alongside his Tampa Bay Buccaneer teammates.
 
"It's just been a great experience throughout the entire year," said McElroy, "Getting to be around and learn from some of the greatest to ever play the game. And now getting to be in the Super Bowl is just icing on top of what has already been an unbelievable year."
 
McElroy joined the Buccaneers squad in 2019 and made his NFL debut on Dec. 21, 2019, against the Houston Texans, hauling in a memorable 30-yard pass from Jameis Winston for his first career reception.
 
In October, he re-signed with Tampa Bay and has been a member of the team's practice squad since week six of the regular season.
 
That run has now extended into the postseason, including preparations for Super Bowl LV when the Buccaneers will become the first team to host a Super Bowl in its home stadium.
 
"I'm just really excited for a good week of preparation," stated McElroy. "And then to be able to see our guys go out and play in the game that we've been working to be in since virtual OTA's."
 
The 6-6, 255-pound native of Frederick, Okla., completed his eligibility in 2018 and was an All-Great American Conference selection in his only season with the Savage Storm.
 
As a tight end, he hauled in 14 catches for 173 yards in the 2017 season, converting five of those grabs into touchdowns. He averaged 12.4 yards per catch and had a long reception of 42 yards for the year, earning All-Great American Conference honors.
 
After signing with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted rookie in 2018, McElroy would eventually find his way to the Buccaneers roster
 
McElroy was a three-sport standout over his high school and college career, playing baseball at the junior college level before signing with Texas and ultimately getting drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2014.
 
After a pair of minor league seasons he would leave the game and return to Oklahoma State to finish his education where he would then earn a walk-on spot on the basketball team, before spending one final competitive season on the football field at Southeastern.