Buccaneers Draft History: The Quarterbacks
(April 7, 2000)

The NFL draft is fast approaching and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two first round selections. Since 1976, the Bucs have drafted eighteen quarterbacks in the college draft. Playing what may the franchise's most maligned position, some selections have been more successful than others. While it remains to be seen which players will be picked this year, here is a history of the Bucs quarterback draft picks.

1976, Round 7, Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State - He played in eight games for the winless 1976 team, including the Bucs first home game. In his only NFL season, he tossed a TD pass, along with five interceptions.

1976, Round 17, Jack Berry, Washington & Lee - Late round pick never played a down in the NFL.

1977, Round 8, Randy Hedberg, Minot State - Hedberg started the 1977 season opener, appeared in seven games that year, but threw ten interceptions and no touchdowns passes. It was his only NFL season.

1978, Round 1, Doug Williams, Grambling - The Bucs traded the number one overall pick to Houston for the Oilers number one pick and tight end Jimmie Giles. They used Houston's pick, the seventeenth, to select Williams. He played with Tampa Bay from 1978 to 1982 and lead the team to two division titles and three playoff berths. Williams finished with a 33-33-1 record as the Bucs starting QB. Due to a salary dispute, he ended up in the USFL and would later become a Super Bowl MVP with the Washington Redskins.

1979, Round 5, Chuck Fusina, Penn State - While with the Bucs from 1979 to 1981, Fusina saw limited action. He appeared in seven games, tossed a TD pass and was intercepted once. He would later have a very successful career in the USFL. In 1984, Fusina lead the USFL in passing and was named the MVP of the USFL Championship Game held at Tampa Stadium. He is the second all- time leading passer in USFL history.

1981, Round 9, Mike Ford, Southern Methodist - Never played in NFL.

1982, Round 9, Robert Lane, NE Louisiana - Never Played in NFL.

1984, Round 11, Blair Kiel, Notre Dame - He played in ten games for the 1984 Bucs, but complied no passing stats. Also spent some time with Indianapolis and Green Bay.

1984, Round 1, Steve Young, Brigham Young (Supplemental Draft) - While not one of the eighteen college draft selections, Young was selected in the Supplemental Draft. That draft allowed teams to select players who were under contract with USFL teams. Young had played two seasons with the Los Angeles Express and was with the Bucs from 1985 to 1986. He went 3-16 as the starter during the dismal Leeman Bennett years. Young would be traded to San Francisco and went on to become Super Bowl MVP with the 49ers.

1985, Round 9, Steve Calabria, Colgate - Never played in the NFL.

1987, Round 1, Vinny Testaverde, Miami (FL) - The first overall selection in the draft played with the Bucs from 1987 to 1992 and compiled a 24-48 record as the starting QB. He remains the all-time leader in passing yards and holds several other records for the team. He signed as a free agent with Cleveland, moved to Baltimore with that team, and is currently enjoying some success with the New York Jets.

1987, Round 2, Don Smith, Mississippi State - He was listed as a quarterback/running back in college and played as a wide receiver/running back for the Bucs from 1988 to 1989.

1987 Round 12, Mike Shula, Alabama - While he never compiled any NFL stats, Shula has been a coach with a couple of different teams. He spent a few seasons as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator.

1990, Round 12, Todd Hammel, Stephen F Austin - While never playing in the NFL, Hammel has gone on to a very successful career in Arena Football.

1991, Round 10, Pat O'Hara, Southern California - While not making it in the NFL, O'Hara has been with AFL Orlando Predators since 1995.

1992, Round 4, Craig Erickson, Miami (FL) - He played with the Bucs from 1992 to 1994 and was 11-18 as the starter. Erickson was traded to Indianapolis and later spent time with Miami.

1992, Round 8, Mike Pawlawski, California - He never played in the NFL, but is the quarterback for the current AFL champion Albany Firebirds.

1994, Round 1, Trent Dilfer, Fresno State - Selected with the sixth overall pick, Dilfer played with the Bucs from 1994 to 1999. With a 39-39 record as the starter, he is the all-time winningest QB in Bucs history. He is also the only Buccaneers quarterback ever selected to the Pro Bowl.

1999, Round 2, Shaun King, Tulane - Forced into action due to injuries, King was 5-2 as the Bucs starting QB last season.