Former Ole Miss DL Channing Ward wasn’t selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up the ex-Rebel as an undrafted free agent before the start of fall training camp.

That gamble has paid off, as Ward had a good enough preseason to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster, according to his Instagram account:

“Hard work (does) pay off,” Ward posted on Instagram. “I made the team for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Words can’t explain how happy I am right now.”

Surprisingly, Ward started only four games during his time at Ole Miss, amassing 6.5 sacks during his time in Oxford.