Selected in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Appeared in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 1 victory over Washington, logging 17 offensive snaps.
Appeared in a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 2 victory at the Detroit Lions, appearing on 16 offensive snaps.
Played 12 offensive snaps in Week 3 vs. Denver, bringing in his first reception of the season for eight yards.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in Weeks 4-5.
Played 24 offensive snaps in the Week 6 win over New Orleans. Also appeared on special teams.
Was inactive for Week 7 vs. Baltimore.
Appeared on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense in Weeks 8-10.
In the Week 12 win at the New York Giants, started at tight end and played 24-of-65 offensive snaps and brought in one reception for 26 yards. It marked a new career long reception for him.
Started at tight end and played 31-of-80 offensive snaps in the Week 13 win at Carolina. Also appeared on special teams.
Appeared on special teams and a reserve capacity on offense in the Week 14 win over Las Vegas.
In the Week 15 win over the L.A. Chargers, appeared on special teams and a reserve capacity on offense. Played 30-of-72 offensive snaps.
In Week 16 at Dallas, started at tight end and brought in a then-career-high five receptions for a then-career-high 29 receiving yards.
Started at tight end in the Week 17 win over Carolina, playing 59-of-77 offensive snaps and finishing with two catches for 36 yards and one score. His touchdown catch was the first of his career.
According to Pro Football Focus, earned the highest grade of his career and the third-highest grade of any Buccaneer in Week 17, recording an 85.1 overall offensive figure.
Started at tight end in the Week 18 victory over New Orleans, hauling in two receptions for 16 yards and one touchdown. It marked his second career touchdown reception.
Started at tight end in the Wild Card round against Washington, appearing on special teams and in a reserve capacity on offense. Played 15 offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps.
Appeared in 41 career games across four seasons (2019-22) at Purdue University, totaling 126 receptions for 1,275 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. Also added one carry for four yards.
His 21 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in program history and rank second all-time by a tight end in program history.
His 1,275 receiving yards rank sixth in program history in receiving yards by a tight end.
As a senior in 2022, was a Mackey Award (most outstanding tight end) semifinalist, was named second team All-Big Ten and was an All-American honorable mention after hauling in 56 passes for 560 yards and eight receiving touchdowns across 13 games (12 starts).
Ranked second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as a senior.
As a junior in 2021, was named All-Big Ten honorable mention after starting 10-of-12 games and bringing in 45 receptions for 467 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Received All-Big Ten honorable mention as a sophomore in 2020 when he brought in 16 receptions for 166 yards and three receiving touchdowns in six games.
Appeared in 12 games as a freshman in 2019, logging nine receptions for 82 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Attended Peachtree Ridge High (Suwanee, Ga.)
Played lacrosse in high school before being convinced to try out for the football team as a senior after his high school's head football coach made a 3-point basketball shot during a pep rally.
Was born William Payne Durham.
Majored in selling & sales management.
