Emeka Egbuka Makes History: Ohio State Star Selected by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025 NFL Draft

TAMPA, FL — April 25, 2025

It’s official—Emeka Egbuka is heading to the NFL, and he’s doing it in historic fashion.

The dynamic Ohio State wide receiver was selected 23rd overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, cementing his place as not only one of the most electrifying players in Buckeye history, but also as a critical piece of Tampa Bay’s offensive future. The selection marks a defining moment in both Egbuka’s football journey and the continued pipeline of elite wide receiver talent from Columbus to the NFL.

“This is a dream come true,” Egbuka said, flashing a wide smile in his draft-night interview. “I’ve worked for this moment my whole life. Now it’s time to prove myself all over again—at the next level.”

Egbuka’s selection adds another chapter to Ohio State’s already legendary reputation for producing elite NFL wide receivers. Following in the footsteps of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka now becomes the fourth Buckeye receiver in the last four drafts to be taken in the first round.

“Ohio State is WRU. Period,” Egbuka said proudly. “We push each other. Iron sharpens iron, and I wouldn’t be here without my brothers in that receiver room.”

For the Buccaneers, Egbuka represents a long-term investment at wide receiver—potentially the heir apparent to Mike Evans, who continues to be a dominant force but is entering the latter stages of his career.

The Buccaneers made headlines by opting to add another weapon to their offense rather than addressing other needs like the offensive line or secondary. But with Baker Mayfield recently re-signed and coming off a resurgent season, the front office wanted to give their quarterback a dynamic playmaker who can make an immediate impact.

“Emeka is a technician,” said Bucs GM Jason Licht. “He’s explosive, dependable, and a high-character guy. He runs every route with intent, and he’s going to open up our offense in ways we haven’t seen since prime Chris Godwin.”

Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, echoed the sentiment:

“He’s a three-level threat. He’ll help us stretch the field, beat zone looks, and eat in the intermediate game. This kid is polished beyond his years.”

Though Emeka Egbuka may have had first-round talent for years, his road to the NFL wasn’t without obstacles. After a breakout sophomore season in 2022 in which he caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns, he returned in 2023 with Heisman expectations. But a nagging ankle injury derailed his momentum, limiting him to just seven games.

Despite playing through pain, Egbuka still managed to average 68 yards per game and was a reliable target when on the field. Many questioned whether he should return to school for another season to rebuild his stock, but Egbuka never wavered in his belief that he belonged in the 2025 NFL Draft.

“I knew who I was, even if some doubted,” he said. “I leaned on my faith, my family, and my work ethic. I knew if I could get healthy and show up for the Combine, I’d remind everybody.”

That’s exactly what happened. Egbuka shined at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, putting to rest any doubts about his explosiveness and recovery:

• 40-yard dash: 4.43 seconds
• Vertical jump: 37 inches
• Three-cone drill: 6.82 seconds
• Hands: 9.75 inches

Scouts raved about his fluidity in drills and his natural ability to separate from defenders. More importantly, he looked fully healthy and crisp in every rep.

“He looked like a guy ready to play Week 1 in the NFL,” said ESPN’s Matt Miller. “If the medicals check out—and they did—he’s a surefire first-rounder.”

What sets Egbuka apart isn’t just raw athleticism—it’s his refinement

Egbuka is widely regarded as one of the best route runners in the class. His ability to manipulate defenders, change speeds, and snap off breaks with sharpness makes him a quarterback’s dream.

At Ohio State, he lined up outside, in the slot, and even took snaps out of the backfield. That versatility gives Tampa Bay a Swiss Army knife to deploy all over the formation.

Egbuka’s catch radius, strong hands, and ability to secure catches in traffic stood out on tape. He had just two drops on 104 targets during his breakout season.

“His tape reminds me a lot of Keenan Allen,” said NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. “He’s not the flashiest guy, but he does everything right. He’s always open.”

A former five-star recruit from Steilacoom, Washington, Egbuka has always carried himself with maturity beyond his years. At Ohio State, he was considered one of the most respected leaders in the locker room, often leading film sessions and mentoring younger players.

“He was the heart of that receiver room after Marvin (Harrison Jr.) left,” said OSU receivers coach Brian Hartline. “He showed our guys what it means to be a pro.”

His impact extended to the community as well. Egbuka was active in youth football clinics, charity work in Columbus, and mental health awareness campaigns. He’s expected to bring that same level of professionalism and positivity to Tampa.

Egbuka celebrated the biggest night of his life surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones in a private gathering in Dallas, Texas.

“My parents sacrificed everything for me,” he said, his voice cracking. “This is as much their moment as it is mine.”

His Nigerian-American heritage was on full display, with vibrant traditional clothing, music, and food—turning the evening into a joyous celebration of identity, perseverance, and triumph.

“We’re so proud of him,” said his mother, Chinelo. “He’s always been focused, always been humble. Now the world gets to see what we’ve known all along.”

With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still leading the Bucs receiving corps, Egbuka will enter the league without immediate pressure to carry the offense—but that doesn’t mean he won’t contribute right away.

Expect the Bucs to use him in:

• Slot formations, where he can exploit mismatches on linebackers and safeties
• Jet motion plays and screen packages, using his vision and burst in space
• Red zone sets, where his precise footwork gives him an edge

“I want to earn everything I get,” Egbuka said. “Nothing is given in this league. I’m ready to grind.”

The football community lit up with praise after the pick:

• Garrett Wilson (Jets): “WRU still eatin’. Let’s go Emeka!”
• Chris Olave (Saints): “Bucs got a dawg. Proud of you bro.”
• C.J. Stroud (Texans): “Tampa’s about to see what I saw every day in practice. Congrats my guy.”

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day also expressed his pride:

“Emeka is the total package. He’s going to be a star in this league—on and off the field.”

With his first-round selection, Emeka Egbuka becomes:

• The 3rd consecutive Ohio State WR selected in Round 1
• The 17th Ohio State WR ever selected in the NFL Draft
• The 1st WR taken by Tampa Bay in Round 1 since Mike Evans (2014)

But more than stats or rankings, this moment is about legacy. Egbuka has taken everything he learned at Ohio State—the discipline, the pressure, the competition—and transformed it into a shot at NFL greatness.

“I’m not satisfied with being drafted,” he said. “That was step one. Now it’s time to go to work. I’m coming to Tampa hungry.”

Bucs fans should be excited. The next chapter of Tampa Bay football has a new name at wide receiver—and his name is Emeka Egbuka.