The Bucs selection of Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was surprising to those that cover and follow the team and have stayed in the know throughout the offseason. Egbuka was not viewed as being on Tampa Bay’s radar, but alas, general manager Jason Licht gave him a draft day call to make him the 19th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Licht and Egbuka each shared their thoughts on making him the newest Buccaneer. Safe to say, both sides are excited to get him in the building and involved on offense.

Jason Licht: The Bucs Had “No Questions” About Emeka Egbuka

The Bucs value high-character football players more than anything else. That is how the organization has built such a strong culture and locker room where guys gel and spend time together all year long in recent seasons.

When asked about why the team liked Emeka Egbuka, Jason Licht explained that he is someone who will fit right in.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

“Well, there’s a lot to like about him,” Licht said. “First of all, we didn’t have him in for a visit because there were no questions we had with him. We met with him at the combine and we know a lot about him just over the years…He’s a true pro, mature beyond his years, perfectionist, he’s been in a great program with a great wide receivers coach, in a great [wide receivers] room – there’s a lot of lineage there that he takes a lot of pride in.

“He stayed this year so he could help the young guys [and] continue with the lineage of Ohio State receivers. [There is] a lot to love about him, and then, on top of it, he’s a really good player. We’re really excited to have him – he’s our type of guy.”

Joining Tampa Bay means that Egbuka will go from a lineage of successful Ohio State wide receivers who have transitioned to the NFL to a Bucs’ wide receiver room led by veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While Licht’s latest first-round pick may not make the biggest impact as a rookie, this move was done weighing the present and future.

The characteristics he possesses makes the front office believe he is the perfect addition.

“You can’t find anybody to say anything bad about this guy, in terms of his leadership, his commitment, his passion, his accountability,” Licht added. “It’s all top notch. In fact, we have a football character grade and he’s the highest of the high. That, on top of being a great player, is something that we’re very proud of.”

Emeka Egbuka Excited To Play With Baker Mayfield And Be A Reliable Target

Emeka Egbuka fought to see the field throughout his time at Ohio State, playing in a star-studded wide receiver that featured Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Have you heard of them?

Having experienced what it was like seeing other guys succeed around him while waiting his turn, Egbuka does not mind doing the same in Tampa Bay.

Getting the opportunity to be apart of what is now the NFL’s most talented wide receiver room and getting the chance to catch passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield has him excited to learn and grow.

Egbuka has already been in touch with No. 6.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“[He’s a] Heisman winner,” Egbuka said about playing with Mayfield. “There are not too many people who have that achievement and he’s done great things as well in the league. He’s had successful receivers all the way around him so I’m just excited to be able to learn and to grow with him at the helm of everything I’m doing [with] a seasoned vet like he is. We were able to talk briefly. He texted me here shortly after I got drafted so it’s just good to know that he’s excited with the pick as well and I just can’t wait to get to work.”

As Licht mentioned, Mayfield’s newest offensive weapon comes in well-versed into knowing what it takes to be productive. During his time with the Buckeyes, Egbuka put together two 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown seasons. He does not possess one true elite ability but is extremely polished and will be a great complement to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan.

“I think I’m going to fit in great,” Egbuka said last night. “I think that the coaches think I’m going to fit in great which is why they decided to draft me tonight. I’m just really looking forward to all the ways that they’re going to use me and allow me to help the team. I think, if I had to describe my skillset, I would say [I’m] one who’s super reliable, going to be at the right place at the right time.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

“I feel very confident with the ball in my hands as well as making every catch that’s asked of me. I’ve never felt like there was a ball in the air that I couldn’t track or was a difficult catch so having a quarterback to be able to put it up and just trust you, which I know Baker [Mayfield] can do… I’m just really excited to get started.”

It will be a while before Bucs fans get to see how Emeka Egbuka looks during the regular season, but he will soon hit the field for rookie mini-camp and the offseason program. His message to the fanbase is simple.

“I’m excited to be able to learn this culture,” Egbuka said. “I want to say thank you for taking me in. I’m going to bring my mentality and my work ethic. Everything that I am, and everything that I’ve been at Ohio State, I’m going to be the same person day-in and day-out. I’m just excited to get started.”