Rookie Emeka Egbuka ‘Raises The Standard’ In First Practices Of Buccaneers Camp

National Football League Rookie Emeka Egbuka ‘Raises The Standard’ In First Practices Of Buccaneers Camp

Published Jul. 30, 2025 11:43 a.m. ET

Greg Auman, NFL Reporter

TAMPA, Fla. — It all started with a spectacular leaping catch in front of the goalpost at the back of the end zone. gilas vs china schedule 2023 Then came an impressive toe-tap touchdown in the back right corner. Each day at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp seems to showcase yet another eye-catching play from rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, with the consistent highlight being the unreserved praise from both teammates and coaches.

“You can put Emeka in any position,” remarked quarterback Baker Mayfield last week. “It’s the truth. It’s exciting to have a player like him who is so intelligent and doesn’t act like a rookie. His mind isn’t racing; he’s able to manage the game effectively, which sets a higher standard for everyone. When a rookie comes in learning the offense for the first time and motivates those around him, it’s fantastic to have someone like that.”

Egbuka’s selection as the 19th overall pick by the Bucs out of Ohio State in April came as a bit of a surprise. The team already had pressing needs in other positions and wide receiver was arguably its strongest group. However, with Chris Godwin still sidelined as he recovers from a broken ankle sustained last season, Egbuka is seizing the opportunity to make an immediate impact and is drawing comparisons to Godwin both on and off the field.

“He plays like a running back but catches like Chris Godwin,” said fellow receiver Mike Evans. “He’s a very polished, well-rounded player.”

Egbuka’s physique closely resembles Godwin’s—standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 205 pounds, while Godwin is 6-1 and 209 pounds—both are known for being effective blockers in addition to having reliable hands and precise routes. Godwin has taken Egbuka under his wing, often practicing alongside him, sharing insights and forming a strong bond between the 29-year-old veteran and the 22-year-old rookie.

“He’s been a blessing for me,” Egbuka expressed on Monday about Godwin. “On the sidelines, he constantly gives me advice—whether it’s about route running, technique, blocking, or even just life. I feel like I can ask him anything, and we are becoming good friends. I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better team or situation.”

The Buccaneers’ receiving corps is already well-stocked. Besides the well-established duo of Evans and Godwin, they have last year’s third-round pick Jalen McMillan, who led the NFL in touchdown receptions during the last five weeks of 2024 with Godwin sidelined. Tampa Bay boasted a top-five offense last year, with Mayfield throwing for 41 touchdowns and over 4,500 yards. Adding Egbuka and seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson could elevate the Bucs’ offense even more this season.

“I don’t know if anything has surprised me, but I’m impressed by how calm he is with everything,” said head coach Todd Bowles about Egbuka’s rapid learning this summer. “He’s incredibly intelligent and fiercely competitive. He always strives to do things the right way. I tell him he doesn’t need to be perfect; he just needs to play football. He’s performing well, playing fast and looks like the player we drafted. I have no complaints.”

Evans remarked that this year’s Bucs receiving group may be the most talented he has ever played with, which is a bold statement considering the star-studded roster he played with in 2021, including Tom Brady, Godwin, Antonio Brown, and Julio Jones. Egbuka is accustomed to thriving in competitive wide receiver environments—at Ohio State, he left as the program’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards while playing alongside future NFL stars such as Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as well as incoming star Jeremiah Smith.

One significant advantage of drafting Egbuka is that the Bucs feel less pressure to rush Godwin back from his injury. pinoy website Godwin missed the last 10 games of 2024 and hasn’t practiced yet, putting his status for the season opener in doubt. Egbuka might step in as the team’s second option behind Evans, and he’s generated a lot of buzz as the most talked-about player on either side of the ball in the first week of training camp.

Much of the positive feedback for Egbuka extends beyond the field, as he’s excellently grasped the playbook and demonstrated understanding of all three receiver positions like a seasoned professional. Johnson has referred to him as a “human computer” due to his ability to process and recall formations and plays, and teammates have already recognized his self-motivation even in the initial practices.

“Throughout my life, I have always been self-motivated,” Egbuka shared on Monday. “There’s something inherent in me that drives me to push just a bit harder. I tend to be an overachiever and a perfectionist, and I believe that mindset has brought me here. It’s important to maintain that mentality without becoming complacent, and I hope to carry it for years to come uk bingo.”

Egbuka has already gained Mayfield’s trust, and the next crucial step is to build that chemistry so the quarterback can have as much confidence in him as he does in returning receivers he’s worked with over the last year or two. filipino png pba tnt

“It’s going great,” Egbuka said. “Of course, [Mayfield] is a seasoned veteran who knows his stuff, so it’s all about being in sync with him. A lot of that chemistry develops from me being aware of my responsibilities. Understanding the playbook and knowing my position allows him to rely on me being where I’m supposed to be. Over time, as we review film together and build that connection, he will trust me more and more.”

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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