It has been a long time since the Bucs have had a consistent, effective running back year in and year out. James Wilder still maintains the franchise record in rushing yards at 5,977 after his nine seasons with the team (1981-1989). That is a record that has stood for over three decades. After Wilder, the Bucs have failed to acquire a top-tier back.

Former Bucs RB James Wilder – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

There were the days of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott pairing together in the late 1990s-early 2000s to form WD-40. After them, other backs such as Cadillac Williams, LeGarrette Blount, Doug Martin, and Leonard Fournette, among others, have each had a season or two of being effective. But each flamed out in Tampa Bay after a short time, with Fournette the most recent.

What does this mean heading into 2023? The Bucs need an impact back. A guy that can lead the running back room to greater success than last season.

The offense will be giving this responsibility to Rachaad White, a second-year player who is looking to ball out in 2023 and make a name for himself.

Rachaad White Wants To Make Bucs History

Rachaad White is something of a Bucs historian. Speaking to the media this week at mini-camp, he acknowledged that it has been a while since a Tampa Bay running back has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. One has to go back to Doug Martin in 2015 when he accumulated 1,402 yards on the ground as the Bucs’ last Pro Bowl running back. In White’s own hopes of accomplishing this, he is trusting the process.

Bucs RB Rachaad White and QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Honestly, I’m just kind of [letting it come] naturally,” White said. “It sounds like a cliché answer, but I’m just a team guy. I’m here to do my job. Of course, you have goals, and you want things like that. Every day you pay attention to the 1,000-yard rushers.

“It’s been eight years or so since Doug [rushed for 1,000 yards], so I pay attention and read up on all of that type of stuff. So, of course, you want to eclipse that, but at the end of the day, if I’m just doing my job and doing what I’m supposed to do, all of that will take care of itself.”

It is not all about numbers for White, but everyone around the Bucs (and the fans at home) would like to see an offense that has more balance and can have success. While there were shortcomings last season, there is optimism in the warm Tampa Bay air.

Rachaad White “Happy” To Be In New Offense

It starts with new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, but it extends to the Bucs’ player personnel. It should be a younger, hungrier offensive line that has been retooled and revamped this offseason. While there is more variance and a lower floor among the line, there is also a higher ceiling should everything click.

Bucs OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Replacing Donovan Smith with Tristan Wirfs at left tackle is a clear upgrade, and so is the return of Ryan Jensen at center, just on his leadership and presence alone. If the rest of the line ends up being Matt Feiler at left guard, rookie Cody Mauch at right guard, and Luke Goedeke at left tackle, one should expect them to better fit Canales’ mid-zone scheme.

For Rachaad White, he noted that there has been a difference with all of the new faces in town – the biggest being offensive coordinator Dave Canales, whose natural energy and vibe have positively affected the team.

“The energy has been great,” White said. “Obviously, we’re all happy about it. Pocket movement and just getting the defense running side to side – it’s just a well-balanced offense to me.

“Then the shots and the plays you see guys like Chris [Godwin] and Mike [Evans make] and how they are open. Mike comes to the sideline and says, ‘Man, I haven’t really been this open in a minute. It feels good.’ Just seeing things like that. It’s been happiness. It’s been fun.”

Rachaad White Is Going To Be A Key Playmaker

Based on his remarks, it is a positive sign that Rachaad White and Mike Evans already see the benefits in the offense with training camp next on the horizon. It will be a critical year not just for the offense, but for the Bucs, as a whole. If they can fire the cannons at Raymond James Stadium more often than last season and put points up to support the defense, it will prove a lot of doubters wrong.

Besides Evans and Chris Godwin, the biggest playmaker is White. There should be a balance between putting the ball into each of their hands, which is what the sophomore back out of Arizona State sees as being the case.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

“The feel I get – for me right now – to me, it’s just balanced,” White said. “They harp on it all the time – Coach [Todd] Bowles and obviously Coach Dave [Canales] about, ‘You’ve got to be able to run. You’ve got to be able to do both.’ That’s the feel I’ve been getting honestly, but yeah, you’re asked to do a lot, and that’s good.”

Until September arrives and the ball is in his hands in a regular-season game, White will be putting plenty of time into improving and putting in the work. From practices on the field to meetings inside the AdventHealth Training Center, there will be plenty to learn and go over.

“My biggest focus is just getting better every day, getting my plays all down. Being able to go out there and play fast with confidence. At the end of the day, it’s a team game – obviously, I focus on me and do my job, and that’s all I can do – but honestly, it all comes from the work out there.”

Who knows, with a lead role and a favorable offensive system, perhaps Rachaad White can become the next 1,000-yard rusher and the long-term, consistently productive running back that has long eluded the Bucs.