Ohio University doesn't produce NFL talent at the volume of a powerhouse program, but when a Bobcat makes a roster, it counts. Defensive back Roman Parodie signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, securing an NFL spot heading into the 2026 season — a notable development for a program whose alumni rarely make headlines in pro football circles.
Parodie's deal with Tampa Bay was confirmed by Yahoo Sports, with the Buccaneers bringing the DB back into the fold. The signing puts him in the mix on a Bucs defense that will look to sort out its depth at the back end of the roster through the preseason. For Parodie, it's an opportunity to carve out a role on a team that has consistently competed in the NFC South.
Beyond Parodie, Ohio's NFL alumni footprint remains modest but real. Offensive tackle Austen Pleasants is on the roster in San Francisco with the 49ers, where he competes for snaps on one of the league's better offensive lines. Tight end Armani Rogers is with the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that has made a habit of finding value at the position. And quarterback Nathan Rourke — perhaps the most recognizable name from Athens — remains with the Atlanta Falcons, continuing his pursuit of a meaningful role at the most competitive position in football.
None of these are household names, and that's part of what makes following them worth the effort. Ohio University alumni reaching and holding NFL rosters are doing so on the margins, where longevity is earned week to week. Parodie's re-signing with Tampa Bay is the kind of quiet, grind-it-out move that defines the trajectory of most career backup and practice-squad players — stay on the radar, stay available, and take advantage when a team comes calling.
For Bobcat fans, the story of the 2026 preseason is straightforward: Roman Parodie is back in the NFL, and he's got a chance to make it stick.
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