Knews Sports 26 تموز/يوليو 2025 الزيارات: 6

Bucs' Baker Mayfield Hypes Emeka Egbuka as 'The Real Deal,' Says He's 'So Damn Smart'

Knews Sports 26 تموز/يوليو 2025 الزيارات: 6

Chris Godwin's health is a focal point for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the start of training camp, which could throw rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka into an immediate spotlight.

It sounds like he's ready for it.

"Emeka Egbuka is an absolute stud. He's the real deal," quarterback Baker Mayfield said on the New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast (h/t Joe Bucs Fan) before explaining what he meant.

"Ok, you know how you just can't teach guys leaving the ground to catch the ball? It's always grounded when [Egbuka] catches it. He keeps moving. There's YAC (yards-after-catch) potential out the wazoo there. But he's just so damn smart. And he's willing to block, willing to do everything we ask him to do. But then, I mean, we can plug-and-play him at any of the three receiver spots right now. It's pretty exciting."

Tampa Bay surprised some when it selected Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 draft despite having Mike Evans, Godwin and Jalen McMillan on the roster. It felt like something of a luxury pick instead of a selection for need.

But the Buccaneers might need Egbuka quicker than expected, as ESPN's Jenna Laine reported they placed Godwin on the active/physically unable to perform list Tuesday while he is still recovering from the dislocated ankle he suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 campaign.

He underwent a second surgery on the injury during the spring, although Laine reported he is "doing well."

If nothing else, Egbuka will have plenty of chances to shine at training camp while Godwin is sidelined. And it is a fairly safe bet that an Ohio State wide receiver is going to produce, as he joins the likes of Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Curtis Samuel, Chris Olave and Noah Brown, among others, in the NFL.

Despite all the talented wide receivers who have been Buckeyes, it was Egbuka who finished his collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards.

Playing alongside Evans shouldn't be a problem either, as he was rarely the No. 1 option in college while teaming up with Jeremiah Smith, Harrison, Smith-Njigba, Olave and Wilson at times.

He still found a way to run crisp routes, take advantage of spacing from double teams elsewhere and pick up the type of YAC that Mayfield raved about when discussing his newest target.

If Egbuka lives up to his potential in his rookie season, Tampa Bay will be well positioned to repeat as NFC South champions for a fifth straight year even if Godwin misses time.