Western Michigan's Donnie Ernsberger to sign with Buccaneers as priority free agent

Donnie Ernsberger didn't hear his name called on the final day of the 2018 NFL draft, but the Western Michigan tight end/fullback and Battle Creek native was still in high demand on Saturday.

After the draft concluded, Ernsberger was contacted by at least 10 NFL teams who offered to sign him as a priority free agent. He ultimately agreed to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that did not have a pick in the seventh round.

“Throughout the draft, (Tampa Bay) didn’t have enough draft picks, so they were already offering me money," Ernsberger said. "A couple other teams started offering me other prices and (Tampa Bay) went out of their way to raise the price, offering me more than any other team.

“They said, 'Come in and we have a spot for you and we really think you can help this team and make this team.' They like my versatility being able to play tight end, they want me for special teams also."

MORE NFL DRAFT:

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Western Michigan tackle Chukwuma Okorafor in third round

Cincinnati Bengals draft Western Michigan cornerback Darius Phillips in 5th round

The Buccaneers were one of three teams to work out Ernsberger in the pre-draft process along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. The Steelers selected N.C. State's Jaylen Samuels in the fifth round, and he's comparable to Ernsberger in that he is expected to play H-back (tight end/fullback hybrid). The Lions were the only team to draft a fullback, selecting San Diego State's Nick Bawden in the seventh round.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Ernsberger was hoping to join Battle Creek Central High School graduate Tony McGee as the only Battle Creek natives to be drafted by the NFL. McGee was selected in the third round of the 1971 draft by the Chicago Bears.

Ernsberger was used as an in-line blocking tight end and key special teams contributor for the majority of his collegiate career, while also starting at fullback as a freshman.

As a senior, he was a second team All-MAC selection in 2017, finishing second on the team with a career-high 34 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came against Buffalo in what was the longest and highest-scoring game in FBS history, with his sister helping him achieve viral fame by running onto the field to celebrate his second score.

MORE: There's more to Western Michigan's Donnie Ernsberger than a viral moment

Following his senior campaign, Ernsberger was named the Broncos' Offensive MVP and received the captain award from teammates at Western Michigan’s postseason awards banquet. He was invited to the 2018 NFL scouting combine as a fullback, where he ran a 4.84 40-yard dash.

As a junior, Ernsberger started every game at tight end as Western Michigan went 12-0 on its way to the Mid-American Conference title before losing to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. He was named third team All-MAC based on his strength as a blocker, helping the Broncos post the No. 22-ranked rushing offense in the nation while adding nine receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.

At Lakeview High School, Ernsberger was an all-state honorable mention selection at linebacker. He wasn't given a star by any of the major recruiting services, receiving his only Division I offer from Western Michigan as part of the first full recruiting class under now-Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck.

Ernsberger will next report to the Buccaneers' rookie mini-camp, May 11-13. He said he's looking forward to the opportunity to impress Tampa Bay coaches and carve out a role for himself in the NFL, the same way he did after arriving in Kalamazoo as an unheralded recruit.

“It doesn’t feel quite real yet," Ernsberger said. "I’m just ready to get to work, and I can’t wait.”

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley