Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles delivered an empowering message about first round rookie Emeka Egbuka on Monday, Sept. 1.
“I think [Egbuka is] coming in great shape, to come from Ohio to this weather down in Florida and adjust and not miss a day and be mentally sharp and physically sharp at the same time,” Bowles said. “Not having to, look like anyway, [he needed to] adjust to the heat, I think that’s been outstanding and it takes a lot of preparation which means he really worked hard this offseason to come to camp ready.”
Egbuka was selected 19th overall by the Buccaneers in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, where he won last years’ National Championship with the Buckeyes. The 22-year-old was one of the best receivers in college last season and has clearly won the admiration of his new head coach in Tampa Bay.
Egbuka was nothing short of elite in his 2024 Championship campaign with Ohio State, starting 16 games while making 81 receptions, 10 of which were touchdowns, while also logging 1,011 yards.
Crazily enough, it wasn’t even his most productive season of his college career in terms of yards, which he produced his career high 1,151 in his sophomore season while playing in just 13 games.
An Storybook College Career
In 49 career games at Ohio State, Egbuka racked up 205 receptions in 49 career games, caught 24 touchdowns and put up 2,868 receiving yards.
His career receiving yards were second all time in Buckeye history and his two seasons of 1,000 plus receiving yards put him in elite company as one of only two Ohio State receivers to ever accomplish the feat. The other receiver? Marvin Harrison Jr.
Egbuka showed a penchant for making difficult plays look ridiculously easy, like this catch against Oregon in the CFP Quarterfinal against No. 1 Oregon:
Egbuka was a team captain in the championship season for Ohio State. He was also named to the Academic All-Big 10 three times
No Better Spot For Egbuka to Land in the NFL
Egbuka landed with the Buccaneers where he will likely be WR3 on the depth chart behind future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Egbuka will be the beneficiary of lesser coverage against most teams with two threats that require every teams top cornerbacks on them, and should be able to explode as one of the most productive rookie wide receivers in the NFL.
He also has Baker Mayfield as his quarterback, a guy who revived his career with the Buccaneers and is set up to achieve another career season in 2025.
Egbuka will also be a member of what should be the best team in an otherwise incredibly underwhelming NFC South. The Buccaneers are, on paper, the best team in the division, an Egbuka will be matched up against the Saints, Panthers and Falcons six times this year.
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