Derek Watson is one step closer to reviving his football career in the NFL, a prospect that once looked dead.

Watson, a former USC and South Carolina State running back, signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon after the team’s three-day rookie minicamp, said Emery Williams, Watson’s personal trainer and mentor.

“He blew it up at the minicamp,” Williams said. “All three days, he shocked the fool out of them.”

Williams, who owns a gym in Anderson County where Watson has trained the past seven months, talked with Watson on Sunday but would not disclose terms of Watson’s contract. NFL contracts are not guaranteed..

Watson could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Watson will participate in Tampa Bay’s veteran minicamp in June before the team’s training camp starts July 28.

Watson was one of 20 players attending the rookie minicamp on a tryout contract. Overall, 50 players participated in the Bucs’ practice sessions.

“There are four or five guys who are here who we’ll find a way to get on our roster, I believe,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said at the conclusion of the minicamp on Sunday morning. “This was a strong cast of players.”

Gruden did not identify the players he was talking about. As of Sunday night, the Buccaneers had not publicly reported any signings.

Last year, the Bucs used the same process of bringing in players to the rookie minicamp on tryout contracts. However, only one of the 27 such players received a contract after that weekend. Wake Forest offensive lineman Mark Moroz was later released before training camp.

Watson, South Carolina’s Mr. Football in 1998 after a decorated career at Palmetto High, played three seasons with USC before transferring to S.C. State.

His best season with the Gamecocks was in 2000, when he rushed for 1,066 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

But Watson’s habit of finding trouble cost him his USC career. Watson attended New England’s training camp in 2003, but was cut after he failed the team’s conditioning test.

He was invited to an April 1st tryout with Tampa Bay, which led to him being invited last Monday to the team’s rookie camp over the weekend.

“This past month, we busted it,” Williams said. “We ran, ran, ran. And he needed it because he said these three days (at rookie camp) were the toughest he’s ever had. But based on what I’ve heard from (coaches), they’re expecting him to play.”