Taron Vincent didn’t hear his name called in Kansas City, but he’ll have a chance to make an NFL roster nonetheless.
While he wasn’t signed immediately after the draft as an undrafted free agent, Vincent was invited to participate in the Buffalo Bills’ rookie minicamp, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday.
Bills invited former Ohio St. DT Taron Vincent - son of NFL executive Troy Vincent - to their rookie mini camp for a tryout, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 1, 2023
Although a minicamp invitation doesn’t guarantee Vincent a spot on the Bills’ 90-man roster, it will give him a chance to get his foot in the door and show that he is capable of playing at the next level.
Vincent will bring five years of college experience with him to Buffalo following an Ohio State career in which he accumulated 58 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in scarlet and gray.
The Baltimore native and son of five-time NFL Pro Bowler Troy Vincent entered Ohio State as a five-star prospect and the No. 20 overall prospect in the country out of IMG Academy in 2018. Vincent had a limited role as a true freshman for the Buckeyes but still appeared on Larry Johnson’s defensive line for 11 games in 2018.
His first setback came in the leadup to the 2019 campaign, when a torn labrum forced Vincent out for the entire season. Vincent was hampered once again during the COVID-shortened 2020 season due to a knee injury, but still earned his biggest role to date on a per-game basis in seven appearances as the Buckeyes made a run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Vincent split reps at 3-tech with Haskell Garrett during much of the 2021 season, but a mostly healthy Vincent turned in a productive 23 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a half sack before the end of the year. That momentum carried over into Vincent’s final season with the Buckeyes, in which he became a regular starter among Johnson’s front four, finishing with a career-high 25 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, a half sack and a fumble recovery. For the first time in his career, Vincent appeared in every game for the Buckeyes in 2022.
Vincent was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection for his efforts on the field in 2021 and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his time at Ohio State.
That wasn’t enough to get Vincent drafted, but his opportunity in Buffalo will give him a chance to show he’s capable of more.
