CHICAGO --- Tusculum College defensive end Caushaud Lyons has signed a preferred free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the conclusion of the 2015 National Football League Draft.

Lyons, a 6-5, 295-pound senior from Ellenwood, Georgia, was a consensus NCAA Division II All-American in 2014 while accounting for one of the finest seasons ever by a TC defensive lineman. He led the Pioneers with 89 tackles, which are a new program single-season record for a defensive lineman. Of those stops, 19 were for loss, which are the second most in TC history and most by a Pioneer lineman. His 1.5 tackles for loss per game average led the South Atlantic Conference and were 40th in the country.

Lyons becomes the 27th Pioneer during head coach Frankie DeBusk's watch to ink a professional contract and the fifth to join the NFL ranks, including wide receivers Kevin Wolcott (Tennessee Titans) and Rashaad Carter (Baltimore Ravens), offensive lineman Alan Dunn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and defensive back Ricardo Colclough (Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers). Colclough's NFL run was the most successful as he was drafted in 2004 by the Steelers in the second round. He played in six NFL seasons, which included a Super Bowl XL title with Pittsburgh.

The 2014 consensus All-Region pick averaged 8.1 tackles per game, which are most in the South Atlantic Conference and Super Region 2 for defensive linemen and fourth most in the nation (NCAA II). His 8.1 tackles for loss are third in the league overall. The All-SAC first team selection also averaged 0.77 sacks per contest, which is second in the conference and 38th in NCAA II.

This fall he recorded 10 or more tackles on four occasions, including a career-high 15 stops against Carson-Newman. A week later, he posted seven tackles, including four for loss and two sacks in Tusculum's 14-10 road win at Wingate. Against the Bulldogs, he made five quarterback hurries and broke up a pass. He was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association College Player of the Week.

Lyons wrapped up his collegiate career with 181 tackles, which are a new Tusculum record for a defensive lineman. His 28 career tackles for loss are 10th in school history and second most by a TC lineman. His 13 career sacks are tied for seventh in program history (3rd for defensive lineman). He also was credited for two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended, including an interception.

Lyons finished one of eight national finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division II lineman in the country. He was also national finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, which honors the top small college defensive player of the year for NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA.

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