I'm Just Finding Out About This Now, But The Buccaneers Pro Bowl Guard And D3 Trailblazer Ali Marpet Retired
This is a crazy one.
I’m flabbergasted by this announcement, partly because I’m learning about it a few days after it happened, but I’m still shocked. Hobart graduate and Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Ali Marpet has announced his retirement at the age of 28. This announcement puts the Buccaneers in a hole on the interior of their offensive line as center Ryan Jensen and guard Alex Cappa are set to become free agents.
Marpet was a phenomenon of a player coming out of college. His size, athletic ability, and talent coming out of the D3 level was practically unheard of. He received an invite to the Senior Bowl, the only D3 player that year and the second ever.
During the week of the Senior Bowl, Marpet was named as Sports Illustrated’s “biggest riser”. He also was one of the only players that had success against a very dominant Danny Shelton.
Marpet became the highest D3 player drafted and the twentieth ever selected from that level. The Buccaneers took him with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2015 draft.
Through his seven year career, the Hobart alum was consistently in the top third of his position in PFF. He played his first two seasons at guard, his third at center when Joe Hawley left, and then moved back to guard when Tampa signed Ryan Jensen.
The 2020-2021 season was Marpets best when he posted a PFF grade of 83.2, 7th out of 88 player. In addition, he only allowed a sack and made his first Pro Bowl.
Marpet accomplished more in his seven year career than most other offensive linemen ever. He won a Super Bowl, made a Pro Bowl, protected the GOAT, and signed a meaty extension. Marpets career earnings come out to around 37 million dollars.
This player paved the way for division three players coming into the league, especially offensive linemen like Ben Bartch and Quinn Meinerz. He’s given the little guy hope of making it to the pros and proved that lots of great players compete at the D3 level.
Thank you Ali Marpet, and enjoy retirement.