Ever since going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Luke Haggard turned back to the mindset that helped him land at a Division 1 college program: Put in the work and take advantage of any opportunities that arise.
Haggard’s determination paid off this past fall when he finally broke into the NFL ranks following two-plus years as a practice squad player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When the Petaluma High School and Santa Rosa Junior College product made his NFL debut in Week 3 as the starting right guard for the Bucs, he became the first Sonoma County player to suit up in an NFL game since Casa Grande alum Elijah Qualls and Cardinal Newman alum Scooby Wright in 2017.
Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file
Santa Rosa Junior College offensive lineman Luke Haggard gets taped up during a 2019 practice.. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file)
But just appearing in Tampa Bay’s wild 29-27 win over the Jets on Sept. 21 is only a portion of Haggard’s improbable story, one that could propel him from the fringes of the NFL to a potential long-term career.
“I’d definitely say last year was crazy,” he told The Press Democrat recently. “Such an awesome experience reaching the goal I’ve been working towards.”
Haggard entered the 2026 season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad for the third straight season. He said he felt lucky to even make it his first year as an undrafted free agent and comfortable making it the second, but was a bit disappointed the third time. He had gotten better and better feedback from coaches and scouts after every preseason camp, and was optimistic that he’d have a chance at making the full 53-man roster heading into the 2026 season. When that didn’t happen, he began to think about his future.
“I wouldn’t say I ever thought about hanging it up, but you don’t last very long in the NFL if you’re just making practice squads,” he said.
Little did he know then that his big break was just around the corner. Injuries hit Tampa Bay’s offensive line hard early in the season and by the end of Week 2 most of their starters were sidelined. Haggard remembers watching that week’s game, a dramatic 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football and noticing some key players go down.
His whole world changed when he arrived for practice on Wednesday, and was informed that not only would he be joining the 53-man roster but that he’d also be starting that week.
“I was kind of thrown off a bit, definitely nervous and excited,” Haggard recalled. “That week of practice it was really just about building my confidence up. I thought the week of practice went well. Then the game, it wasn’t perfect, obviously, but I thought overall it went well. Biggest thing for me, I didn’t care how I played, I just wanted to win that game for my team.”
Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file
Luke Haggard, Offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is from Petaluma. He played college football for Indiana. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat file)
His NFL debut featured some highs and some lows but the Buccaneers were able to pull out another dramatic win, 29-27 over the New York Jets on a last-second field goal. Haggard soaked up the experience, not knowing when his next opportunity might come, especially with some injured linemen set to return the following week.
Turns out, that was just the beginning. Even with Tampa Bay’s offensive line getting healthier, the coaching staff liked what they had seen from Haggard and kept him in the starting lineup for the next three games.
“I think I surprised a lot of the coaches,” he said. “Numbers-wise, they really only needed me for the first game, so that’s part of why I was really nervous. They were really only playing me because they had to. I still went out and tried my hardest but then after that when some guys came back and I still started, I realized they trusted me and I was playing well.”
Unfortunately for Haggard, his streak as a starter ended due to a shoulder injury late in Tampa Bay’s Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He avoided surgery but missed several weeks and spent the rest of the season on special teams duty when he returned.
Still, getting his chance to showcase his ability over those four games could open many more doors and potentially extend his NFL career.
“The biggest thing is just getting film,” he said. “There’s a big difference between preseason film and actual game film. Being able to play in four games and putting up decent film, not only is that helping me with the Bucs but, you know, guys bounce around the league all the time. That will just help me land spots with other teams.”
“I like the Bucs, I obviously want to stay as long as possible,” he added, “but if that’s not my final destination, that’s not the end of the world because every team is different in that sense of who they like.”
In many ways, Haggard’s journey to NFL playing time mirrors his path to Division 1 college football. He had one Division 2 offer coming out of high school and was convinced to keep playing by SRJC’s head coach at the time, Lenny Wagner. Haggard went from nearly quitting football to earning a scholarship to the University of Indiana, where he spent three seasons as a starting offensive lineman.
Haggard did his time, put in the work and his efforts were rewarded.
“I would never say there was ever a point where I was thinking about hanging them up,” he said. “Like it’s definitely not easy. It’s football, it’s hard, you’re away from your family but I’d definitely say that when I got the opportunity and elevated and signed to the 53, that definitely made it worth it.. I felt all that hard work was finally paying off. And it’s just the start, hopefully.”
Haggard had a few memories that stood out from his time as a starter. One was playing against the 49ers. As a self-described “diehard” 49ers fan with a George Kittle jersey still hanging in his room, he called that experience “surreal.”
The other was playing in a 38-35 win in Seattle over the Seahawks in Week 5. To beat the team he grew up avidly rooting against in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL was a special experience, he said. It’d be even more unique if the Seahawks were to defeat the New England Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl LX.
“It was fun to go and play in their stadium and be a part of that win, it felt really good to feel like I contributed towards that and was part of that,” Haggard said. “Now, obviously, they’re going to the Super Bowl, so it’s kind of fun to think about that I beat a team that could go win a Super Bowl.”
Haggard recently returned home to Petaluma where he plans to enjoy a “low-key” offseason with his family.