FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he confirmed in a text message Saturday.
Allen, who was considered a late-round possibility, went unselected in this week's NFL Draft. Nine quarterbacks were drafted overall, but only four in the final six rounds.
Allen had worked out for Tampa Bay on March 10. He spent much of the pre-draft workouts at the Ken Mastrole Passing Academy in Miami and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine.
In Tampa Bay, Allen likely will battle Ryan Griffin to be the team's third-team quarterback. Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2015, has been Tampa's starter the past three seasons, and NFL journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick also is on the roster.
Allen played in 29 games and started 21 times during a five-year career at Arkansas. He backed up his brother, Brandon Allen, for three seasons and took over as starter in 2016 after Brandon Allen was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Austin Allen ranks in the top 10 in Arkansas' career passing yards (5,045), passing touchdowns (36), completion percentage (59.1) and completions (359).