Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a touchdown in front of Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Johnson (3) during the first half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Buccaneers Make Fiery Emeka Egbuka Announcement

Originally posted on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI
By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 10:26 AM ET

Former Ohio State Buckeyes star Emeka Egbuka found a rather surprising home during the NFL Draft, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the 19th overall pick.

Given that the Buccaneers already had a pair of dynamic wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, not to mention intriguing young pieces like Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer, their decision to nab Egbuka was a bit jarring, but, nevertheless, here we are.

Tampa Bay is obviously excited to have the Ohio State product in tow, as it posted a strong Egbuka message on social media this week.

.@EgbukaEmeka in a Bucs uniform is everything we could have hoped for and more pic.twitter.com/BRQW4mQIX4
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) June 27, 2025

Egbuka seems to have a great chance of slotting in as the Bucs' No. 3 receiver behind Evans and Godwin heading into 2025, so he stands to get plenty of attention from Baker Mayfield during his rookie campaign.

The 22-year-old spent four years with the Buckeyes, registering a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns. Most recently, Egbuka hauled in 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns during his final season at Columbus, helping Ohio State win a national championship.

Egbuka's best individual collegiate season, however, came back in 2022, when he caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 scores, averaging a hefty 15.6 yards per grab.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound receiver is not flashy, but he is a terrific route runner, has very sure hands and should comprise a very dependable weapon for Mayfield and the Buccaneers' offense.

Tampa Bay is a dark horse Super Bowl contender in the NFC, so Egbuka will absolutely be playing very meaningful football right off the bat.

This article first appeared on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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