Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka spoke to the media after being selected 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. WR Egbuka discussed being a 'student of the game', continuing the legacy of Ohio State receivers and teaming up with WRs Mike Evans & Chris Godwin.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And meally congratulations.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
She just wanted to ask you what conversations you had
with the Bucks at the combine and how much of their.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Interest you saw there. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:08):
I was recruited by the wide receiver coach kind of
when I was in high school when he was bouncing around,
spent some time in the college space, so I knew him,
you know, from way back when I was, you know, fifteen,
sixteen years old, So we were able to reminisce on
some of those times. And really in the in the
meeting I had at the combine with the Bucks, we
were you know, kind of just getting to know each other,
(00:29):
talk talk a little bit, also talked a little a
little bit of ball, watch a little bit of film,
so you know how very fond memories of It was
a great time, and you know, I'm excited to be
part of the team.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Your thoughts about playing with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Yeah, I mean, you know, Heisman winner, you know, it
doesn't there's there's not too many people who have that achievement.
So and he's done great things as well in the league.
He's had successful receivers all the way around. Um, so
I'm just excited to be able to learn and to
grow with him at the helm of everything. I'm doing
a season vet like he is, and you know, we
were able to talk briefly. He texted me here shortly
(01:06):
after I got drafted, So you know, just good to
know that he's excited with the pick as well. And
I just can't wait to get to work. He's just
he's just saying how excited he was to give me
on board, and you know, I feel the exact same way.
I'm ready to start working and I can't wait to
be down there.
Speaker 5 (01:23):
Speaking of veterans, uh, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, those are
two guys that played a lot of ball, honest league.
I think they've compared you a lot to them, especially
Chris in terms of your you know, your professionalism, what
does it mean to join a group like that, and
what you guys could potentially do.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Yeah, I mean, you know, Chris and Mike, they've done
it at a very high level for a very long time,
which is something that I'm looking to doing in my
NFL career as well. So I think just being able
to learn from them just the ins and outs of
of NFL football and just to pick their brains on stuff,
I'm student of the game. I love learning about it,
(02:01):
so having those guys in the same room with me
is a blessing. So I'm super glad to be a
part of it. And then other young guys like Jaylen McMillan.
You know, he grew up in California, but he played
for a Washington seven on seventeen, so I've known him for,
you know, since I was in high school as well,
and we've been friends for a long time. So just
watching him do his thing at you Dove and now
(02:22):
get to join him as a teammate, this is gonna
be is gonna be really fun, amazing watch super Room
and Meka. How would you describe your game and how
do you think you're going to fit in with this offense.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
I think I'm gonna fit in great.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
I think that the coaches think I'm gonna fit in great,
which is why they decided to draft me tonight. So
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
skill set, I would say one who's super reliable, going
to be in the right place at the right time,
you know, I feel very confident with the ball in
my hands as well as, you know, making every catch
(02:55):
that's asked me. I've never felt like there was a
ball in the air that I could in track or
was it difficult catch. So having a quarterback to be
able to put it up and just trust you, which
I know Baker can do, I'm just really excited to
get started.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
And Michael, what was that phone call like when you
found out that you'd be a buccaneer?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Man, I was just like, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
I was watching the screen and then I was holding
my phone in my hand and started buzzing and the
docs didn't click right away. And then I looked down
and I see, you know, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on
my phone.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
So I answered the call. My mom started freaking out.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
She started saying, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh
my gosh, and then my dad's yelling. So it was
very high octane moment, but you know it was it
was a feeling like no other.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
You had a few teams on your fraid are probably
going into the draft night, where was Tampa Bay kind
of where you're thinking, know this this is a team
that could definitely take me or they free high on
your dar.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Yeah, you know, I knew that from my meetings in
Indy that everything had gotten really well. Felt comfortable with
the coaching staff, and I knew that. You know, I
felt like I did a good job in my interview
and they were impressed with me as well.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
You know, I think it was just it was just
a great fit.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
And you know, coming up when the when the pick
was rolling, it was in the back of my mind
that they could be looking to go wide receiver, and
you know, I feel like I was the best one
on the board.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
So they felt the same way, and you know, it
was a match made.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Nevin, what does it mean to be part of that
lineage of Ohio State receivers? Geez, your decisions, your decision
to stay at Ohio State, but to be part of
that lineage of receivers, and just how well were you
guys coached at that position up there?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Yeah, I mean year in and year out, you guys
see it. I think this makes six straight first round
Ohio State receivers. Wouldn't be surprised if it was seven
or eight next year. So I think that we recruit
like minded individuals, people who want to win who are
uber competitive and we put each other to the highest
to the highest limit. You know, guys came into a
(04:57):
receiver room with Chris Garrett, Jackson Smith and ja but
Jamison Williams, you know, Marvin Harrison. So it's like we
all wanted to share the field and there's only one
ball to going around. So that created a super competitive
atmosphere and we've honed each other's skills. We have a
great wide receiver coach who has done it year in and
year out. He's done it in the league. He was
a wide receiver one from Miami for multiple years. So
(05:19):
being able to learn from a craftsman like him has
just helped us all the more.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
It's this front office, this coaching staff, they really valued
strong leaders. What about you? Where did some of your
leadership qualities come with type of experiences or maybe some
of the people you encountered helped shape that that part
of you.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I've always felt like a natural leader ever since
I was young.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
It was actually my fourth grade teacher who said she
thought I was going to run for president one day.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
So shout out to you, miss Sparks.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
But you know, I just felt like I've always been
a natural born leader, something that I take a lot
of pride in. And you know, I end up going
to school in Ohio State, twenty five hundred miles away
from home, and you know, fast forward to my senior year,
my teammates voted me captain. So I think that my leadership,
my accountability, speaks for yourself other people who are around
(06:09):
me able to lift up everyone around me and kind of,
you know, push my mindset and the way that I
approach football and everyday life on everyone around me and
make it each other better. So I'm glad that the
coaching staff values that because it's something I take a
lot of pride.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Are you more of a vocal leader or are you
more of a lead by example leader?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I feel like it's, you know, scenario dependent.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
I think that having an intimate relationship with everyone who
you're trying to lead as well ultimately makes a great
leader because not everyone, not everyone takes to the same things.
You can't call out a guy who doesn't respond to
hard coaching. You might have to pull him to the
side or do something else. But something that I've always
done to lead by example with the way that I live,
with the way that I play football, the way that
(06:56):
I approach anything in life. And I think that's the
strongest testimony you can live, is just the way that
you walk throughout life. Speaking of moving far away from
home a little bit further down here in Tampa, what
do you know about the Bucks?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
What do you know about Tampa coming into it? I
know it's hot.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
I know that That's thing I got to get used to.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
I'm you know, born and raised in in Tacoma, Washington,
where it doesn't get too hot, you know, and then
went to school in Ohio. Obviously we know what those
games are like, especially in November. Played a couple of
December this year, so that's going to be a change
for sure. But you know something that I welcome. You
know how weather it is going to be nice, and uh,
you know, I can't wait to you know, get a
(07:36):
little darker.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
What did you celebrate your Draft night with?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
I think the better question is who didn't I there's
like that party, you know, there's a you know, coaches,
family friends, my parents, my siblings, my best friends since
high school. Everybody's here to help celebrate this moment. I'm
so thankful they were all able to to come and
join me.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I wouldn't have any other way. It took. It took
a village. They say it takes a village to raise
a child.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
So everyone who came to my draft party tonight has
had an instrumental role in helping me develop into the
man that I've become today.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So you know, I wish more people could have even
been here than there are. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
You have to find a quiet space.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Yes, I I'm gonna I'm in a separate room right now.
They're over at the other side party, So I came
over here to.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Get some some you know, kind of get my mind right.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
You mentioned playing in a crowded wide receiver room with
the buck eyes. How do you think that helps you
make a transition into the NFL where you won't be
the feature target right away?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
I think something that I learned throughout my time at
Ohio Sate, especially sharing the wide receiver room with so
many talented players, is when you have a culture, When
you have a strong culture built around in your programming,
around the uh you know, the wide receiver room, their
success just feels like your success. Like I never I
can't recall a touchdown where I was you know, salty
(08:54):
about my my other teammates scoring, I was just as
happy as it was, just as if I scored. So
I think you're trying to carry that same mindset, that
same culture into this wide receiver room, especially sharing it
with so many talented people, people who.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I frankly look up to. It's it's just a blessing
for me, honestly.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
Well, Dream, what's your message to vaccination who's watching.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
This right now?
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Yeah, to whoever may be watching this, you know, Uh fans, Yeah,
to Bucks fans. I'm excited to be able to learn
this culture. You know, I want to say thank you
for taking me in and you know I'm gonna bring.
I'm gonna bring my mentality and you know, my work
ethic and everything, everything that I am, everything that I've
(09:36):
been out of house say, I'm going to be the.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Same person day in and day out. So you know,
I'm just excited to get started.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Thanks, thank you guys. Appreciate it.
And meally congratulations.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
She just wanted to ask you what conversations you had
with the Bucks at the combine and how much of their.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Interest you saw there. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:08):
I was recruited by the wide receiver coach kind of
when I was in high school when he was bouncing around,
spent some time in the college space, so I knew him,
you know, from way back when I was, you know, fifteen,
sixteen years old, So we were able to reminisce on
some of those times. And really in the in the
meeting I had at the combine with the Bucks, we
were you know, kind of just getting to know each other,
(00:29):
talk talk a little bit, also talked a little a
little bit of ball, watch a little bit of film,
so you know how very fond memories of It was
a great time, and you know, I'm excited to be
part of the team.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Your thoughts about playing with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Yeah, I mean, you know, Heisman winner, you know, it
doesn't there's there's not too many people who have that achievement.
So and he's done great things as well in the league.
He's had successful receivers all the way around. Um, so
I'm just excited to be able to learn and to
grow with him at the helm of everything. I'm doing
a season vet like he is, and you know, we
were able to talk briefly. He texted me here shortly
(01:06):
after I got drafted, So you know, just good to
know that he's excited with the pick as well. And
I just can't wait to get to work. He's just
he's just saying how excited he was to give me
on board, and you know, I feel the exact same way.
I'm ready to start working and I can't wait to
be down there.
Speaker 5 (01:23):
Speaking of veterans, uh, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, those are
two guys that played a lot of ball, honest league.
I think they've compared you a lot to them, especially
Chris in terms of your you know, your professionalism, what
does it mean to join a group like that, and
what you guys could potentially do.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Yeah, I mean, you know, Chris and Mike, they've done
it at a very high level for a very long time,
which is something that I'm looking to doing in my
NFL career as well. So I think just being able
to learn from them just the ins and outs of
of NFL football and just to pick their brains on stuff,
I'm student of the game. I love learning about it,
(02:01):
so having those guys in the same room with me
is a blessing. So I'm super glad to be a
part of it. And then other young guys like Jaylen McMillan.
You know, he grew up in California, but he played
for a Washington seven on seventeen, so I've known him for,
you know, since I was in high school as well,
and we've been friends for a long time. So just
watching him do his thing at you Dove and now
(02:22):
get to join him as a teammate, this is gonna
be is gonna be really fun, amazing watch super Room
and Meka. How would you describe your game and how
do you think you're going to fit in with this offense.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
I think I'm gonna fit in great.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
I think that the coaches think I'm gonna fit in great,
which is why they decided to draft me tonight. So
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
skill set, I would say one who's super reliable, going
to be in the right place at the right time,
you know, I feel very confident with the ball in
my hands as well as, you know, making every catch
(02:55):
that's asked me. I've never felt like there was a
ball in the air that I could in track or
was it difficult catch. So having a quarterback to be
able to put it up and just trust you, which
I know Baker can do, I'm just really excited to
get started.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
And Michael, what was that phone call like when you
found out that you'd be a buccaneer?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Man, I was just like, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
I was watching the screen and then I was holding
my phone in my hand and started buzzing and the
docs didn't click right away. And then I looked down
and I see, you know, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on
my phone.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
So I answered the call. My mom started freaking out.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
She started saying, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh
my gosh, and then my dad's yelling. So it was
very high octane moment, but you know it was it
was a feeling like no other.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
You had a few teams on your fraid are probably
going into the draft night, where was Tampa Bay kind
of where you're thinking, know this this is a team
that could definitely take me or they free high on
your dar.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Yeah, you know, I knew that from my meetings in
Indy that everything had gotten really well. Felt comfortable with
the coaching staff, and I knew that. You know, I
felt like I did a good job in my interview
and they were impressed with me as well.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
You know, I think it was just it was just
a great fit.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
And you know, coming up when the when the pick
was rolling, it was in the back of my mind
that they could be looking to go wide receiver, and
you know, I feel like I was the best one
on the board.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
So they felt the same way, and you know, it
was a match made.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Nevin, what does it mean to be part of that
lineage of Ohio State receivers? Geez, your decisions, your decision
to stay at Ohio State, but to be part of
that lineage of receivers, and just how well were you
guys coached at that position up there?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Yeah, I mean year in and year out, you guys
see it. I think this makes six straight first round
Ohio State receivers. Wouldn't be surprised if it was seven
or eight next year. So I think that we recruit
like minded individuals, people who want to win who are
uber competitive and we put each other to the highest
to the highest limit. You know, guys came into a
(04:57):
receiver room with Chris Garrett, Jackson Smith and ja but
Jamison Williams, you know, Marvin Harrison. So it's like we
all wanted to share the field and there's only one
ball to going around. So that created a super competitive
atmosphere and we've honed each other's skills. We have a
great wide receiver coach who has done it year in and
year out. He's done it in the league. He was
a wide receiver one from Miami for multiple years. So
(05:19):
being able to learn from a craftsman like him has
just helped us all the more.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
It's this front office, this coaching staff, they really valued
strong leaders. What about you? Where did some of your
leadership qualities come with type of experiences or maybe some
of the people you encountered helped shape that that part
of you.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, I've always felt like a natural leader ever since
I was young.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
It was actually my fourth grade teacher who said she
thought I was going to run for president one day.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
So shout out to you, miss Sparks.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
But you know, I just felt like I've always been
a natural born leader, something that I take a lot
of pride in. And you know, I end up going
to school in Ohio State, twenty five hundred miles away
from home, and you know, fast forward to my senior year,
my teammates voted me captain. So I think that my leadership,
my accountability, speaks for yourself other people who are around
(06:09):
me able to lift up everyone around me and kind of,
you know, push my mindset and the way that I
approach football and everyday life on everyone around me and
make it each other better. So I'm glad that the
coaching staff values that because it's something I take a
lot of pride.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Are you more of a vocal leader or are you
more of a lead by example leader?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I feel like it's, you know, scenario dependent.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
I think that having an intimate relationship with everyone who
you're trying to lead as well ultimately makes a great
leader because not everyone, not everyone takes to the same things.
You can't call out a guy who doesn't respond to
hard coaching. You might have to pull him to the
side or do something else. But something that I've always
done to lead by example with the way that I live,
with the way that I play football, the way that
(06:56):
I approach anything in life. And I think that's the
strongest testimony you can live, is just the way that
you walk throughout life. Speaking of moving far away from
home a little bit further down here in Tampa, what
do you know about the Bucks?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
What do you know about Tampa coming into it? I
know it's hot.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
I know that That's thing I got to get used to.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
I'm you know, born and raised in in Tacoma, Washington,
where it doesn't get too hot, you know, and then
went to school in Ohio. Obviously we know what those
games are like, especially in November. Played a couple of
December this year, so that's going to be a change
for sure. But you know something that I welcome. You
know how weather it is going to be nice, and uh,
you know, I can't wait to you know, get a
(07:36):
little darker.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
What did you celebrate your Draft night with?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
I think the better question is who didn't I there's
like that party, you know, there's a you know, coaches,
family friends, my parents, my siblings, my best friends since
high school. Everybody's here to help celebrate this moment. I'm
so thankful they were all able to to come and
join me.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I wouldn't have any other way. It took. It took
a village. They say it takes a village to raise
a child.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
So everyone who came to my draft party tonight has
had an instrumental role in helping me develop into the
man that I've become today.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So you know, I wish more people could have even
been here than there are. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
You have to find a quiet space.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Yes, I I'm gonna I'm in a separate room right now.
They're over at the other side party, So I came
over here to.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Get some some you know, kind of get my mind right.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
You mentioned playing in a crowded wide receiver room with
the buck eyes. How do you think that helps you
make a transition into the NFL where you won't be
the feature target right away?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
I think something that I learned throughout my time at
Ohio Sate, especially sharing the wide receiver room with so
many talented players, is when you have a culture, When
you have a strong culture built around in your programming,
around the uh you know, the wide receiver room, their
success just feels like your success. Like I never I
can't recall a touchdown where I was you know, salty
(08:54):
about my my other teammates scoring, I was just as
happy as it was, just as if I scored. So
I think you're trying to carry that same mindset, that
same culture into this wide receiver room, especially sharing it
with so many talented people, people who.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I frankly look up to. It's it's just a blessing
for me, honestly.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
Well, Dream, what's your message to vaccination who's watching.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
This right now?
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Yeah, to whoever may be watching this, you know, Uh fans, Yeah,
to Bucks fans. I'm excited to be able to learn
this culture. You know, I want to say thank you
for taking me in and you know I'm gonna bring.
I'm gonna bring my mentality and you know, my work
ethic and everything, everything that I am, everything that I've
(09:36):
been out of house say, I'm going to be the.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Same person day in and day out. So you know,
I'm just excited to get started.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Thanks, thank you guys. Appreciate it.
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