Former Bison All-American Signs First NFL Contract

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today signed second-round pick Cody Mauch, the No. 48 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay has now signed all eight members of its draft class.

Mauch signed a four-year contract, the maximum allowed for players selected after the First Round. The deal is worth $7.485 million according to reports and included a signing bonus of $2.443 million.  On the second night of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers traded up with the Green Bay Packers in order to select Mauch with the 48th-overall selection. Mauch played offensive tackle at North Dakota State but is considered the front-runner to start at right guard and replace Shaq Mason, who was traded to Houston in the offseason.

Mauch (6-5, 302) spent six years at North Dakota State University (2017-22), appearing in 62 games, including every game from 2019-2022. During Mauch's time with the program, the Bison boasted a .907 winning percentage, with four FCS national championships and four Missouri Valley Football conference titles. Mauch was named Associated Press first-team All-America in 2022, second-team All-America in 2021 and was recognized three times as an All-Missouri Valley Conference performer (2020-22). In addition, Mauch was named the 2022 Phil Steele FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year after starting all 15 games at left tackle for a team that ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards per game (265.7). He is a native of Hankinson, North Dakota, and wears No. 69 for Tampa Bay.